trädkiktet

Trädkiktet is a term used in forest ecology to denote the tree layer of a forest—the vertical stratum formed by mature trees that can include the canopy and the subcanopy. The name combines the Swedish words for tree and layer. The tree layer is one of several vertical strata in a forest, alongside the ground layer and the shrub or understory layer. It typically comprises the tallest living trees in a stand, including dominant and co-dominant individuals, and may also include tall subcanopy trees depending on stand density.

The composition and height of trädkiktet vary with species, site conditions, and stand age. In boreal and temperate forests, the tree layer may include a mix of conifers and broadleaf species, with variation in height and age structure that influences light availability, microclimate, and habitat provision. The tree layer exerts a strong influence on light regimes, litter production, carbon storage, and ecosystem structure, thereby affecting regeneration, biodiversity, and overall forest dynamics.

In forest inventories and management planning, the tree layer is often assessed separately from lower strata to estimate stand volume, biomass, and canopy cover. Measurements commonly focus on height distribution, stand density, mean diameter at breast height (DBH), and basal area. Maintaining a robust trädkiktet is central to sustainable silviculture, informing thinning, selective harvesting, and regeneration strategies to balance timber production with habitat quality and ecosystem services.

See also: forest stratification, canopy, understory, forest management, biodiversity.