The 7 layers in the food forest
7 layers in functional ecosystems
The canopy: the tallest trees in the system. Large trees dominate, but typically do not saturate the area, i.e., there exist patches devoid of trees.
Understory layer: trees that flourish in the dappled light under the canopy.
Shrub layer: a diverse layer of woody perennials of limited height. Includes most berry bushes.
Herbaceous layer: Plants in this layer die back to the ground every winter, if cold enough. They do not produce woody stems as the Shrub layer does. Many culinary and medicinal herbs are in this layer. A large variety of beneficial plants fall into this layer. May be annuals, biennials, or perennials.
Soil surface/Groundcover: There is some overlap with the Herbaceous layer and the Groundcover layer; however, plants in this layer grow much closer to the ground, grow densely to fill bare patches of soil, and often can tolerate some foot traffic. Cover crops retain soil and lessen erosion, along with green manures that add nutrients and organic matter to the soil, especially nitrogen.
Rhizosphere: Root layers within the soil. The major components of this layer are the soil and the organisms that live within it such as plant roots and rhizomes (including root crops such as potatoes and other edible tubers), fungi, insects, nematodes, worms, etc.
Vertical layer: climbers or vines, such as runner beans and lima beans (Vine varieties).
