Canopy

Canopy is an overhead cover designed to shelter, shade, or decorate a space. It can be fixed to a building, supported by posts, or freestanding, and may span doorways, walkways, or outdoor seating areas. Materials include fabric, glass, metal, and composites. In architecture and landscape design, canopies provide weather protection and define space; in interior design, they may drape over beds or hang from ceilings as decorative features. The term also extends to protective covers used on vehicles, such as aircraft cockpits.

Forest canopy refers to the uppermost layer of a forest, formed by the crowns of mature trees. It intercepts sunlight, shaping the light environment and microclimate beneath, and supports a diverse community of plants, birds, insects, and other organisms. The canopy influences carbon storage, rainfall interception, and nutrient cycling. Canopy structure varies with species and disturbance, creating gaps that drive succession and habitat diversity in tropical, temperate, and boreal forests.

Canopy studies and design considerations are important in ecology, urban planning, architecture, and horticulture, reflecting the balance between functional protection, aesthetics, and environmental impact.