ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Canopy soils

Okay, so imagine you're in a really big forest with lots of trees. You know how the leaves on the trees make a sort of roof over your head? That's called the canopy. And under the canopy is something called the forest floor, where all the dirt and plants grow.

But did you know that there's also soil up in the canopy? Yes, that's right! Way up high in the trees, there is soil that plants can grow in. This soil is called canopy soil!

So how does this soil get all the way up there? Well, some plants and trees have a special way of growing. They can put down roots that reach up and grab onto other trees. These roots are called aerial roots, and they can help the plant stay up in the canopy.

Once a plant has grown up into the canopy, it can start growing in the soil up there. This soil is really different from regular soil though. It's made up of things like leaves and twigs that have fallen from the trees, as well as things like bird poop and insect poop. And because it's way up high in the trees, it gets a lot of sunlight and rain, which helps the plants grow.

Canopy soil is really important for the forest because it provides a home for lots of different plants and animals. And it also helps to keep the forest healthy by recycling nutrients and providing a place for new plants to grow. So next time you're in a forest, remember to look up and think about all the amazing things that are happening up in the canopy!