the herbaceous layer ratio of biomass to contribution to plant productivity is

disproportionate in many ecosystems. The herbaceous layer can constitute up to 4% of the

overall net primary productivity (NPP) of an ecosystem, four times its average biomass.[1]

Reproduction[edit]
Groundcover typically reproduces one of five ways:[2]
Lateral growth
Side growth: Branches on the side of the plant extend outwards upon contact with the
soil.
Base growth: New plants produced from the base of the origin plant.
Under/Above Ground growth: Produced from rhizomes and stolons
Roots
Like most foliage, groundcover reacts to both natural and anthropogenic disturbances.
These responses can be classified as legacy or active responses. Legacy responses occur
during long-term changes to an environment, such as the conversion of a forest to
agricultural land and back into forest. Active responses occur with sudden disturbances to
the environment, such as tornadoes and forest fires.
Groundcover has also been known to influence the placement and growth of tree
seedlings. All tree seedlings must first fall from their origin trees and then permeate the
layer created by groundcover in order to reach the soil and germinate. The groundcover
filters out a large amount seeds, but lets a smaller portion of seeds pass through and grow.
This filtration provides ample amount of space between the seeds for future growth. In
some areas, the groundcover can become so dense that no seeds can permeate the
surface, and the forest is instead converted to shrubbery. Groundcover also inhibits the
amount of light which reaches the floor of an ecosystem. An experiment conducted with
the rhododendron maximum canopy in the southern Appalachian region concluded that 4
to 8% of total sunlight makes it to the herbaceous layer, whereas only about 1 to 2%
reaches the ground.[3]

Variation[edit]
Two common variations of groundcover are residency and transient species. Residency
species typically reach a maximum of 1.5 meters in height, and are therefore permanently
classified as herbaceous. Transient species are capable of growing past 1.5 meters, and
are therefore only temporarily considered herbaceous. These height differences make ideal
environments for a variety of animals, such as the reed warbler, the harvest mouse and
the wren.[4]
Groundcover can also be classified in terms of its foliage. Groundcover that keeps its
foliage for the entire year is known as evergreen, whereas groundcover that loses its
foliage in the winter months is known as deciduous.

Groundcover in gardening[edit]
an be classified as legacy or active responses. Legacy responses occur during long-term
changes to an environment, such as the conversion of a forest to agricultural land and
back into forest. Active responses occur with sudden disturbances to the environment,
such as tornadoes and forest fires.
Groundcover has also been known to influence the placement and growth of tree
seedlings. All tree seedlings must first fall from their origin trees and then permeate the
layer created by groundcover in order to reach the soil and germinate. The groundcover
filters out a large amount seeds, but lets a smaller portion of seeds pass through and grow.
This filtration provides ample amount of space between the seeds for future growth. In
some areas, the groundcover can become so dense that no seeds can permeate the
surface, and the forest is instead converted to shrubbery. Groundcover also inhibits the
amount of light which reaches the floor of an ecosystem. An experiment conducted with
the rhododendron maximum canopy in the southern Appalachian region concluded that 4
to 8% of total sunlight makes it to the herbaceous layer, whereas only about 1 to 2%
reaches the ground.[3]

Variation[edit]
Two common variations of groundcover are residency and transient species. Residency
species typically reach a maximum of 1.5 meters in height, and are therefore permanently
classified as herbaceous. Transient species are capable of growing past 1.5 meters, and
are therefore only temporarily considered herbaceous. These height differences make ideal
environments for a variety of animals, such as the reed warbler, the harvest mouse and
the wren.[4]
Groundcover can also be classified in terms of its foliage. Groundcover that keeps its
foliage for the entire year is known as evergreen, whereas groundcover that loses its
foliage in the winter months is known as deciduous.

Groundcover in gardening[edit]
an be classified as legacy or active responses. Legacy responses occur during long-term
changes to an environment, such as the conversion of a forest to agricultural land and
back into forest. Active responses occur with sudden disturbances to the environment,
such as tornadoes and forest fires.
Groundcover has also been known to influence the placement and growth of tree
seedlings. All tree seedlings must first fall from their origin trees and then permeate the
layer created by groundcover in order to reach the soil and germinate. The groundcover
filters out a large amount seeds, but lets a smaller portion of seeds pass through and grow.
This filtration provides ample amount of space between the seeds for future growth. In
some areas, the groundcover can become so dense that no seeds can permeate the
surface, and the forest is instead converted to shrubbery. Groundcover also inhibits the
amount of light which reaches the floor of an ecosystem. An experiment conducted with
the rhododendron maximum canopy in the southern Appalachian region concluded that 4
to 8% of total sunlight makes it to the herbaceous layer, whereas only about 1 to 2%
reaches the ground.[3]

Variation[edit]
Two common variations of groundcover are residency and transient species. Residency
species typically reach a maximum of 1.5 meters in height, and are therefore permanently
classified as herbaceous. Transient species are capable of growing past 1.5 meters, and
are therefore only temporarily considered herbaceous. These height differences make ideal
environments for a variety of animals, such as the reed warbler, the harvest mouse and
the wren.[4]
Groundcover can also be classified in terms of its foliage. Groundcover that keeps its
foliage for the entire year is known as evergreen, whereas groundcover that loses its
foliage in the winter months is known as deciduous.

Groundcover in gardening[edit]
an be classified as legacy or active responses. Legacy responses occur during long-term
changes to an environment, such as the conversion of a forest to agricultural land and
back into forest. Active responses occur with sudden disturbances to the environment,
such as tornadoes and forest fires.
Groundcover has also been known to influence the placement and growth of tree
seedlings. All tree seedlings must first fall from their origin trees and then permeate the
layer created by groundcover in order to reach the soil and germinate. The groundcover
filters out a large amount seeds, but lets a smaller portion of seeds pass through and grow.
This filtration provides ample amount of space between the seeds for future growth. In
some areas, the groundcover can become so dense that no seeds can permeate the
surface, and the forest is instead converted to shrubbery. Groundcover also inhibits the
amount of light which reaches the floor of an ecosystem. An experiment conducted with
the rhododendron maximum canopy in the southern Appalachian region concluded that 4
to 8% of total sunlight makes it to the herbaceous layer, whereas only about 1 to 2%
reaches the ground.[3]

Variation[edit]
Two common variations of groundcover are residency and transient species. Residency
species typically reach a maximum of 1.5 meters in height, and are therefore permanently
classified as herbaceous. Transient species are capable of growing past 1.5 meters, and
are therefore only temporarily considered herbaceous. These height differences make ideal
environments for a variety of animals, such as the reed warbler, the harvest mouse and
the wren.[4]
Groundcover can also be classified in terms of its foliage. Groundcover that keeps its
foliage for the entire year is known as evergreen, whereas groundcover that loses its
foliage in the winter months is known as deciduous.

Groundcover in gardening[edit]
an be classified as legacy or active responses. Legacy responses occur during long-term
changes to an environment, such as the conversion of a forest to agricultural land and
back into forest. Active responses occur with sudden disturbances to the environment,
such as tornadoes and forest fires.
Groundcover has also been known to influence the placement and growth of tree
seedlings. All tree seedlings must first fall from their origin trees and then permeate the
layer created by groundcover in order to reach the soil and germinate. The groundcover
filters out a large amount seeds, but lets a smaller portion of seeds pass through and grow.
This filtration provides ample amount of space between the seeds for future growth. In
some areas, the groundcover can become so dense that no seeds can permeate the
surface, and the forest is instead converted to shrubbery. Groundcover also inhibits the
amount of light which reaches the floor of an ecosystem. An experiment conducted with
the rhododendron maximum canopy in the southern Appalachian region concluded that 4
to 8% of total sunlight makes it to the herbaceous layer, whereas only about 1 to 2%
reaches the ground.[3]

Variation[edit]
Two common variations of groundcover are residency and transient species. Residency
species typically reach a maximum of 1.5 meters in height, and are therefore permanently
classified as herbaceous. Transient species are capable of growing past 1.5 meters, and
are therefore only temporarily considered herbaceous. These height differences make ideal
environments for a variety of animals, such as the reed warbler, the harvest mouse and
the wren.[4]
Groundcover can also be classified in terms of its foliage. Groundcover that keeps its
foliage for the entire year is known as evergreen, whereas groundcover that loses its
foliage in the winter months is known as deciduous.

Groundcover in gardening[edit]
an be classified as legacy or active responses. Legacy responses occur during long-term
changes to an environment, such as the conversion of a forest to agricultural land and
back into forest. Active responses occur with sudden disturbances to the environment,
such as tornadoes and forest fires.
Groundcover has also been known to influence the placement and growth of tree
seedlings. All tree seedlings must first fall from their origin trees and then permeate the
layer created by groundcover in order to reach the soil and germinate. The groundcover
filters out a large amount seeds, but lets a smaller portion of seeds pass through and grow.
This filtration provides ample amount of space between the seeds for future growth. In
some areas, the groundcover can become so dense that no seeds can permeate the
surface, and the forest is instead converted to shrubbery. Groundcover also inhibits the
amount of light which reaches the floor of an ecosystem. An experiment conducted with
the rhododendron maximum canopy in the southern Appalachian region concluded that 4
to 8% of total sunlight makes it to the herbaceous layer, whereas only about 1 to 2%
reaches the ground.[3]

Variation[edit]
Two common variations of groundcover are residency and transient species. Residency
species typically reach a maximum of 1.5 meters in height, and are therefore permanently
classified as herbaceous. Transient species are capable of growing past 1.5 meters, and
are therefore only temporarily considered herbaceous. These height differences make ideal
environments for a variety of animals, such as the reed warbler, the harvest mouse and
the wren.[4]
Groundcover can also be classified in terms of its foliage. Groundcover that keeps its
foliage for the entire year is known as evergreen, whereas groundcover that loses its
foliage in the winter months is known as deciduous.

Groundcover in gardening[edit]
an be classified as legacy or active responses. Legacy responses occur during long-term
changes to an environment, such as the conversion of a forest to agricultural land and
back into forest. Active responses occur with sudden disturbances to the environment,
such as tornadoes and forest fires.
Groundcover has also been known to influence the placement and growth of tree
seedlings. All tree seedlings must first fall from their origin trees and then permeate the
layer created by groundcover in order to reach the soil and germinate. The groundcover
filters out a large amount seeds, but lets a smaller portion of seeds pass through and grow.
This filtration provides ample amount of space between the seeds for future growth. In
some areas, the groundcover can become so dense that no seeds can permeate the
surface, and the forest is instead converted to shrubbery. Groundcover also inhibits the
amount of light which reaches the floor of an ecosystem. An experiment conducted with
the rhododendron maximum canopy in the southern Appalachian region concluded that 4
to 8% of total sunlight makes it to the herbaceous layer, whereas only about 1 to 2%
reaches the ground.[3]

Variation[edit]
Two common variations of groundcover are residency and transient species. Residency
species typically reach a maximum of 1.5 meters in height, and are therefore permanently
classified as herbaceous. Transient species are capable of growing past 1.5 meters, and
are therefore only temporarily considered herbaceous. These height differences make ideal
environments for a variety of animals, such as the reed warbler, the harvest mouse and
the wren.[4]
Groundcover can also be classified in terms of its foliage. Groundcover that keeps its
foliage for the entire year is known as evergreen, whereas groundcover that loses its
foliage in the winter months is known as deciduous.
Groundcover in gardening[edit]
an be classified as legacy or active responses. Legacy responses occur during long-term
changes to an environment, such as the conversion of a forest to agricultural land and
back into forest. Active responses occur with sudden disturbances to the environment,
such as tornadoes and forest fires.
Groundcover has also been known to influence the placement and growth of tree
seedlings. All tree seedlings must first fall from their origin trees and then permeate the
layer created by groundcover in order to reach the soil and germinate. The groundcover
filters out a large amount seeds, but lets a smaller portion of seeds pass through and grow.
This filtration provides ample amount of space between the seeds for future growth. In
some areas, the groundcover can become so dense that no seeds can permeate the
surface, and the forest is instead converted to shrubbery. Groundcover also inhibits the
amount of light which reaches the floor of an ecosystem. An experiment conducted with
the rhododendron maximum canopy in the southern Appalachian region concluded that 4
to 8% of total sunlight makes it to the herbaceous layer, whereas only about 1 to 2%
reaches the ground.[3]

Variation[edit]
Two common variations of groundcover are residency and transient species. Residency
species typically reach a maximum of 1.5 meters in height, and are therefore permanently
classified as herbaceous. Transient species are capable of growing past 1.5 meters, and
are therefore only temporarily considered herbaceous. These height differences make ideal
environments for a variety of animals, such as the reed warbler, the harvest mouse and
the wren.[4]
Groundcover can also be classified in terms of its foliage. Groundcover that keeps its
foliage for the entire year is known as evergreen, whereas groundcover that loses its
foliage in the winter months is known as deciduous.

Groundcover in gardening[edit]
an be classified as legacy or active responses. Legacy responses occur during long-term
changes to an environment, such as the conversion of a forest to agricultural land and
back into forest. Active responses occur with sudden disturbances to the environment,
such as tornadoes and forest fires.
Groundcover has also been known to influence the placement and growth of tree
seedlings. All tree seedlings must first fall from their origin trees and then permeate the
layer created by groundcover in order to reach the soil and germinate. The groundcover
filters out a large amount seeds, but lets a smaller portion of seeds pass through and grow.
This filtration provides ample amount of space between the seeds for future growth. In
some areas, the groundcover can become so dense that no seeds can permeate the
surface, and the forest is instead converted to shrubbery. Groundcover also inhibits the
amount of light which reaches the floor of an ecosystem. An experiment conducted with
the rhododendron maximum canopy in the southern Appalachian region concluded that 4
to 8% of total sunlight makes it to the herbaceous layer, whereas only about 1 to 2%
reaches the ground.[3]

Variation[edit]
Two common variations of groundcover are residency and transient species. Residency
species typically reach a maximum of 1.5 meters in height, and are therefore permanently
classified as herbaceous. Transient species are capable of growing past 1.5 meters, and
are therefore only temporarily considered herbaceous. These height differences make ideal
environments for a variety of animals, such as the reed warbler, the harvest mouse and
the wren.[4]
Groundcover can also be classified in terms of its foliage. Groundcover that keeps its
foliage for the entire year is known as evergreen, whereas groundcover that loses its
foliage in the winter months is known as deciduous.

Groundcover in gardening[edit]
an be classified as legacy or active responses. Legacy responses occur during long-term
changes to an environment, such as the conversion of a forest to agricultural land and
back into forest. Active responses occur with sudden disturbances to the environment,
such as tornadoes and forest fires.
Groundcover has also been known to influence the placement and growth of tree
seedlings. All tree seedlings must first fall from their origin trees and then permeate the
layer created by groundcover in order to reach the soil and germinate. The groundcover
filters out a large amount seeds, but lets a smaller portion of seeds pass through and grow.
This filtration provides ample amount of space between the seeds for future growth. In
some areas, the groundcover can become so dense that no seeds can permeate the
surface, and the forest is instead converted to shrubbery. Groundcover also inhibits the
amount of light which reaches the floor of an ecosystem. An experiment conducted with
the rhododendron maximum canopy in the southern Appalachian region concluded that 4
to 8% of total sunlight makes it to the herbaceous layer, whereas only about 1 to 2%
reaches the ground.[3]

Variation[edit]
Two common variations of groundcover are residency and transient species. Residency
species typically reach a maximum of 1.5 meters in height, and are therefore permanently
classified as herbaceous. Transient species are capable of growing past 1.5 meters, and
are therefore only temporarily considered herbaceous. These height differences make ideal
environments for a variety of animals, such as the reed warbler, the harvest mouse and
the wren.[4]
Groundcover can also be classified in terms of its foliage. Groundcover that keeps its
foliage for the entire year is known as evergreen, whereas groundcover that loses its
foliage in the winter months is known as deciduous.

Groundcover in gardening[edit]
an be classified as legacy or active responses. Legacy responses occur during long-term
changes to an environment, such as the conversion of a forest to agricultural land and
back into forest. Active responses occur with sudden disturbances to the environment,
such as tornadoes and forest fires.
Groundcover has also been known to influence the placement and growth of tree
seedlings. All tree seedlings must first fall from their origin trees and then permeate the
layer created by groundcover in order to reach the soil and germinate. The groundcover
filters out a large amount seeds, but lets a smaller portion of seeds pass through and grow.
This filtration provides ample amount of space between the seeds for future growth. In
some areas, the groundcover can become so dense that no seeds can permeate the
surface, and the forest is instead converted to shrubbery. Groundcover also inhibits the
amount of light which reaches the floor of an ecosystem. An experiment conducted with
the rhododendron maximum canopy in the southern Appalachian region concluded that 4
to 8% of total sunlight makes it to the herbaceous layer, whereas only about 1 to 2%
reaches the ground.[3]

Variation[edit]
Two common variations of groundcover are residency and transient species. Residency
species typically reach a maximum of 1.5 meters in height, and are therefore permanently
classified as herbaceous. Transient species are capable of growing past 1.5 meters, and
are therefore only temporarily considered herbaceous. These height differences make ideal
environments for a variety of animals, such as the reed warbler, the harvest mouse and
the wren.[4]
Groundcover can also be classified in terms of its foliage. Groundcover that keeps its
foliage for the entire year is known as evergreen, whereas groundcover that loses its
foliage in the winter months is known as deciduous.

Groundcover in gardening[edit]