A more current and revised definition that put forth by scientists is that ecotones are the zones of interface between adjoining ecological systems, having a set of features uniquely defined by space and time scales and by the force of the interactions among the adjacent ecological systems.Īn ecotone may be formed naturally or by the activities of man. In the 1950s, researchers named Weaver and Albertson were fascinated in huge transitional areas, like those between the Arctic tundra and the boreal forest. During 1930s, ecotones were extensively investigated by researchers from various disciplines. Clements described the ecotons as zones of tension with greater productivity and as an environmentally sophisticated pressure zones. The idea of an ecotone dates back to the work of Livington and Clements in the beginnings of 19th century. Ecotones are not restricted to terrestrial communities, for instance, the interface from soft bottom to hard bottom marine communities is an aquatic ecotone. Thus, an ecotone can be investigated at various spatial scales, that is from centimeters to hundreds and thousands of kilometres. The emergence of an ecotone changes relying on the degree of study.
An ecotone can be found in local for instance, between a solitary field and an adjoining forest or regionally as in those between two different biomes. Ecotones can be a broad region where 2 communities steadily change from one to another or an immediate boundary where the alteration from one association to another is sharply defined.
#Definition of ecotone plus#
The ecotone includes the components of adjacent bordering communities plus the organisms which are typical and restricted to the ecotone.
In the ecology of landscape, an ecotone is the marginal area where 2 patches that have a distinct ecological composition meet. Ecotone is an interface region between two different ecosystems, for instance a forest and grassland.
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