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Ecotones are an important part of the earth’s varied and diverse ecosystem. It is a unique zone that acts as a border between two different ecosystems or biomes. This area leads to various unique phenomena such as flora and fauna which is distinct from the bordering ecosystems and another unique phenomenon such as the edge effect. Owing to this distinctiveness ecotones are also considered important by various experts. We shall discuss the characteristics, importance, and other such important information related to ecotones in this article.
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Key Terms: Ecotones, Edge Effect, Ecoclines, Ecosystems, Biomes, Genes, Biodiversity, Flora and Fauna, Plants, Species, Climate
Ecotones
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Owing to its distinct and interesting mix of ecosystems/biomes, ecotones are considered crucial for our ecosystem in various ways. The importance of ecotones is as follows:
- 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.
- Ecotones are also affected by climate change, shift in climate, and lead to shifting in ecosystem boundaries. Due to this effect on ecotones in response to climate change, many consider them important.
- Ecotones also act as buffer zones that protect bordering ecosystems.
- Ecotones also provide gene flow, owing to their distinct and diverse ecosystem. This contributes to distinctive biodiversity to ecotones.
Ecotone
Characteristics of Ecotones
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Mentioned below are the characteristics of Ecotones:
- Ecotones can be either narrow or wide.
- They can be natural and also man-made.
- Often, ecotones have very distinct species which might also not be found in the other bordering ecosystems.
- Ecotones also act as zones of tension because the area borders the two different ecosystems. Some examples of ecotones include marshlands, grasslands, beaches.
- 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.
- Often mountain ranges also have ecotones due to the difference in the climatic conditions in the slopes.
Checkout: Difference between Biome and Ecosystems
Freshwater and Marine Ecotones
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Freshwater 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.
Tropical freshwater ecotones are also considered important for regulating the flow of material from and to land and water ecosystems. A special mention here can be given to estuaries as they occur in between river freshwater and ocean ecosystems.
Freshwater and Marine Ecotones
Formation of Ecotones
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Any form of significant change in the environment can lead to the formation of Ecotones.
- 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.
- They most often occur in spaces where abrupt or steep environmental transitions are in existence.
- Ecotones are also often formed in mountain ranges; this happens because of the difference in climate across the mountain slopes.
- Boundary types in ecotones also range from being natural boundaries to boundaries that occur due to man-made activities and factors.
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. 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. Species present therein are also called Edge species.
Edge Effect
Read More: Components of Ecosystem
Ecocline
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Ecocline is yet another unique phenomenon part of an ecotone. It refers to the zone in which the changes occur between the two different ecosystems. The changes in ecoclines are rather gradual due to the absence of rigid zones and borders between the different ecosystems.
Ecoline
Things to Remember
- Ecotone refers to the area of transition or the area bordering between the two different ecosystems or biomes.
- Ecotones can be formed due to natural reasons or man-made activities.
- 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 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.
- Ecocline refers to the zone in which changes happen between the two ecosystems, the changes in an ecocline are rather gradual due to the absence of any rigid borders between the ecosystems.
- Ecotones are very quick to show effects in response to climate changes, hence are considered important by experts.
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Sample Questions
Ques. What are the different types of edge effects? (3 marks)
Ans. There are various types of edge effects which are as follows:
- Inherent: Inherent edge effects are more natural in the sense that in inherent edge effects natural factors contribute.
- Narrow: Narrow edge effects seem to have more of an abrupt end.
- Wide: As the term suggests, wide edge effects are broader transition zones.
- Induced: Natural disturbances and human activities lead to induced changes in the borders.
- Convoluted: Convoluted borders are not linear.
- Perforated: Perforated edges also host habitats because they have gaps.
Ques. How are ecotones different from ecoclines? (3 marks)
Ans. The difference between Ecotones and Ecoclines is tabulated below:
| Ecotones | Ecolines |
|---|---|
| Ecotones refer to the zone of border between the two neighbouring ecosystems/ biomes. | Ecoclines refer to the gradual changes that take place between the two ecosystems. |
| Ecotones occur due to the changes that happen in natural conditions like change in soil composition or it can also occur due to human activities like irrigation. | Ecoclines occur in response to the various gradient and gradual changes that take place in the ecosystem . |
Ques. Why is biodiversity higher in Ecotones? (4 marks)
Ans. Ecotones tend to have higher biodiversity and also sometimes even denser populations to certain species. Due to this reason, they are also considered important for our environment by many.
- Ecotones have higher biodiversity due to the very reason that they are bordering two different ecosystems.
- This impacts the flora and fauna present in the zone, being a bordering zone there is an influx of various species that increases flora and fauna.
- Another important phenomenon responsible here is the gene flow that happens between the various species, this also leads to sometimes occurrences of different unique species in the zone. Due to this reason, biodiversity is higher in Ecotones.
Ques. Explain how and why ecotones are fragile? (2 marks)
Ans. Ecotone while are a bordering zone between two different ecosystems which leads to the emergence of unique species of flora and fauna and even a unique ecosystem in place, they are also highly fragile zones in our ecosystem, they not only react to phenomena like climate change but also phenomena like increase in grazing intensity. Due to this sensitivity, ecotones are now also considered important by various ecological researchers. These zones of transition can be harsh conditions for the organisms in the interior but can be a source of opportunity for the growth of edge species or organisms.
Ques. Explain the following: (4 marks)
(i) Ecophene
(ii) Ecotype
(iii) Ecosphere
Ans. (i) Ecophene: Ecophene refers to the initial reaction an organism exhibits when an individual enters a new ecosystem. This reaction in response to the new environment is to develop abilities to survive in the new ecosystem. These changes or reactions from the organisms are not permanent changes.
(ii) Ecotype: Ecotype refers to the population that adapts to the local environmental conditions present. The ones which adapt the best to the conditions of the present environment become the ones to be leaving the most amount of offspring.
(iii) Ecosphere: When two ecotones are separate from each other for a longer time period that leads to an ecosphere. This leads to adaptive developments in the organism to become permanent. In fact, in such a case species may be the same, but they may have different physical and genetic features and they may not be able to produce offspring with each other.
Ques. Differentiate between Ecosphere Niche and Edge Effect. (5 marks)
Ans. The differences between Ecosphere Niche and Edge Effect is tabulated below:
| Ecosphere Niche | Edge Effect |
|---|---|
| Ecological Niche refers to the different functional role or position of species in an ecosystem. | Edge effect refers to the zone in which transitions take place. These changes are not sharp and rigid; they actually happen gradually. |
Types of Ecological Niches are:
| Types of Ecotones are:
|
| Ecological Niches are considered important because they help species to exist in their specific environment. | Edge effect is considered important because it leads to biodiversity in the environment and also creates a unique microclimate which can support and also lead to occurrence of unique species. |
Ques. Are wetlands also ecotones? If yes, explain why? (3 marks)
Ans. Wetlands are also considered ecotones as they act as a transition zone between two different ecosystems which in the case of wetlands are terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Due to which, wetlands can also support different types of terrestrial and aquatic species as well. The water covers the soil present in the ecosystem, however, this may not be regular, it can also happen only sometimes during the year. This interaction between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems also leads to growth of unique vegetation which is suitable to the ecosystem that occurs in wetlands. However, it is also often noted by many that not all wetlands can be considered wetlands.
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