ecotone
Where biomes blend
An ecotone is a transitional zone where two different ecosystems meet and blend—the edge where forest gives way to grassland, or where a wetland borders dry land.
These boundary areas often support species from both adjacent communities plus organisms unique to the transition zone itself: The ecotone between the marsh and upland forest harbored the richest biodiversity on the property.
Boundary or sharpness
interface · transition zone · gradient · demarcation · perimeter · fringe · verge · buffer zone
Tidal shrub with exposed roots
Elevation limit for forests
- snowlinePermanent accumulation boundary
- altitudinal zonationLife zones by height
- microhabitatSmall distinct living area
- aspectFeature or dimension
Changes at ecosystem boundaries
- floraPlants of a region
- faunaAnimal life collectively
- endemic speciesLife found nowhere else
- wildlife corridorStrip connecting fragmented habitats
Following in order
- microclimateLocalized atmospheric zone
- habitat fragmentationBreaking continuous environments into isolated patches
- mosaicInlaid pictorial arrangement
- patchinessState of being uneven
edge
Boundary or sharpness
threshold · interface · transition zone · gradient · demarcation · perimeter · fringe · verge · buffer zone · meeting point
mangrove
Tidal shrub with exposed roots
shrubland · coastal · lakeside · streambank
treeline
Elevation limit for forests
- snowlinePermanent accumulation boundary
- altitudinal zonationLife zones by height
- microhabitatSmall distinct living area
edge effect
Changes at ecosystem boundaries
- floraPlants of a region
- faunaAnimal life collectively
- endemic speciesLife found nowhere else
succession
Following in order
- microclimateLocalized atmospheric zone
- habitat fragmentationBreaking continuous environments into isolated patches
- mosaicInlaid pictorial arrangement