Ecotones often have a higher density of population, sometimes higher than those in neighbouring ecosystems, this effect is referred to as the edge effect, the species present therein are called edge species.Ecotones are considered important for the environment owing to various factors such as their diverse and dense flora and fauna, it acts as a protective buffer zone, providing gene flow.Ecotones can be formed due to natural reasons or man-made activities.Ecotone refers to the area of transition or the area bordering between the two different ecosystems or biomes.The changes in ecoclines are rather gradual due to the absence of rigid zones and borders between the different ecosystems. It refers to the zone in which the changes occur between the two different ecosystems. Species present therein are also called Edge species.Įcocline is yet another unique phenomenon part of an ecotone. Owing to the unique environment of an ecotone, this difference in population density is a common occurrence and this effect is often called the Edge Effect. It is often seen that species have a higher density of population in ecotones which is often higher than those in the neighbouring ecosystems. Boundary types in ecotones also range from being natural boundaries to boundaries that occur due to man-made activities and factors.Ecotones are also often formed in mountain ranges this happens because of the difference in climate across the mountain slopes.They most often occur in spaces where abrupt or steep environmental transitions are in existence.Ecotones can be formed due to natural factors such as abiotic changes like changes in soil compositions, mineral content, and so on, or due to man-made activities like irrigation can also lead to changes.A special mention here can be given to estuaries as they occur in between river freshwater and ocean ecosystems.Ĭheckout: Difference between Biome and EcosystemsĪny form of significant change in the environment can lead to the formation of Ecotones. Tropical freshwater ecotones are also considered important for regulating the flow of material from and to land and water ecosystems. Often mountain ranges also have ecotones due to the difference in the climatic conditions in the slopes.įreshwater and Marine Ecotones have large plants which have their roots submerged in the substrate and hence they occur in spaces that have ample light reaching even the basin, this ensures proper growth of the plants.Ecotones can also occur at places where two different bodies of water meet estuaries and lagoons are the perfect examples for such water body ecotones.Some examples of ecotones include marshlands, grasslands, beaches. Ecotones also act as zones of tension because the area borders the two different ecosystems.Often, ecotones have very distinct species which might also not be found in the other bordering ecosystems.Mentioned below are the characteristics of Ecotones: This contributes to distinctive biodiversity to ecotones. Ecotones also provide gene flow, owing to their distinct and diverse ecosystem.Ecotones also act as buffer zones that protect bordering ecosystems.Due to this effect on ecotones in response to climate change, many consider them important. Ecotones are also affected by climate change, shift in climate, and lead to shifting in ecosystem boundaries.Bordering different ecosystems, ecotones have developed a unique flora and fauna which are often extremely distinct from the flora and fauna present in the bordering ecosystem and hence are considered important.The importance of ecotones is as follows: Owing to its distinct and interesting mix of ecosystems/ biomes, ecotones are considered crucial for our ecosystem in various ways.
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