Under story is a term commonly used to refer to the layer of vegetation that grows beneath the canopy of trees in a forest. Synonyms for this word include understory vegetation, underbrush, understory plants, low-level vegetation, and lower canopy vegetation. Other terms that can be used to describe the under story include forest understory, lower story, and shrub layer. This part of the forest plays a crucial role in providing habitat for a wide variety of animals, including birds, insects, and small mammals. It also helps to maintain the health and diversity of the forest ecosystem by providing important functions such as soil stabilization, nutrient cycling, and water retention.