Part 3
Underneath the trees, a variety of shrubs usually develop in the forest. They form a special tier, the so-called undergrowth. In some parts of the forest, the undergrowth is lush and dense, while in others it is rare and underdeveloped. Such differences are explained by different reasons: soil properties, density of trees, etc. The influence of the density of the tree canopy is especially noticeable in oak groves. Where trees are rare, shrubs receive a lot of light and grow strongly. Remember how a hazelnut grows in an old oak forest, where the trees are quite far apart. The shrubs are very well developed and there are so many of them that they form dense thickets. And in the younger forest, the picture is completely different. Here, the trees stand close together, with little light and little hazelnut bushes, which are low, oppressed and few in number. If the oak forest is dense enough, the undergrowth is almost always poorly developed.
Shrubs included in the undergrowth vary greatly in height. Some, like peanuts, can grow up to 5-6 m in favorable conditions, while others, on the contrary, rarely reach the height of human growth (for example, wolf's bastard).
None of the forest shrubs, even if they develop in the most favorable conditions, can "catch up" with adult trees in height. Forest shrubs always remain under the canopy of trees, as if "under the forest". That's why they are called undergrowth.
There are relatively few species of shrubs in our forests - not much more than woody species. All of them are more or less shady and develop normally in shade under the trees. Many blossom and bear fruit. However, shading and the forest environment as a whole are not prerequisites for their existence. Forest shrubs also grow well outside the forest, in the open. Here they develop even more lush than in the forest, flower and bear fruit. This is not surprising.
In the forest, they are more or less oppressed by trees, and in the open they are not constrained by anything.
We have already talked about what the tree is called the dominant tier in the forest. All other tiers of vegetation located below are called subordinates. The undergrowth also belongs to these tiers.
It really takes a subordinate position in relation to the tree, experiencing a strong oppressive influence from the trees.
The species composition of shrubs differs in different types of forests. For example, there are few shrubs in blueberry pine forests - mainly juniper and brittle crumbs. The oak forest has a much richer set of shrubs: hazelnut, bearded bearded bearded bearded bearded bearded bearded bearded bearded bearded bearded bearded bearded bearded bearded bearded bearded bearded and honeysuckle, wolf's canine, rose hips and some others. Each type of forest has its own set of shrub plants. This is explained by the fact that shrubs are not indifferent to the properties of the soil on which they grow. Some of them, like juniper, are satisfied with the nutrient-poor soil, while others, like hazelnut, can only grow on fairly rich soil.
Undergrowth plays an important role in the life of the forest. It serves primarily as a nesting ground for various forest birds. And many birds are very useful for the forest, as they destroy a large number of pests. In those parts of the forest where the undergrowth is destroyed or underdeveloped, few birds nest here, trees are poorly protected from pests. It is clear from this that undergrowth should be preserved, protected, and it is necessary for the existence of the forest.
A useful role of undergrowth is also in the fact that the fruits of forest shrubs serve as food for the most diverse animals and birds living in the forest. Almost all forest shrubs have juicy fruits, and these fruits are eagerly eaten by fauna representatives.
The continuation should be...