Canopy Structure and Environment

Temperature and Humidity

Within-canopy turbulence distributes heat and water vapor, with the result that canopies tend to be buffered against the more extreme temperature and humidity fluctuations in the air column above them (Parker 1995). The inner canopy is particularly stable, while the outer canopy (Figure 1) is a site of active heat exchange. Thick, closed, homogeneous canopies are likely to exhibit greater inner-canopy stability. Epiphytes have been found to increase this buffering effect, by adding an additional layer of protective biomass to the canopy (Stuntz et al. 2002).