Ekoton

Ekoton, also called ecotone in English, refers to a transition zone between two distinct ecological communities or habitats. It is the area where boundaries overlap and ecological processes from both adjacent ecosystems interact, producing a gradient of environmental conditions such as moisture, light, and soil properties.

Ecotones can be broad or narrow, natural or anthropogenic. They often harbor higher species richness than either adjacent ecosystem and may support unique communities adapted to intermediate conditions. They can also act as corridors or barriers for movement, depending on species and scale. Edge effects—changes in abiotic and biotic factors at the boundary—shape the structure and dynamics of ecotones, influencing plant communities, animal populations, and nutrient cycling.

Examples include forest–grassland edges, freshwater–terrestrial interfaces along rivers and wetlands, and mountain–valley transitions. In aquatic systems, riparian zones and littoral zones illustrate ecotones. In disturbed landscapes, agricultural margins or urban–rural interfaces can function as ecotones.

Importance and management: Ecotones are essential for biodiversity maintenance, offering habitats for species that require multiple habitats, and for ecological services like pollination, seed dispersal, and water filtration. They can be sensitive to disturbance and climate change; fragmentation, invasive species, and altered disturbance regimes may reduce their extent and function. Conservation planning often emphasizes maintaining ecotone integrity and connectivity rather than preserving a fixed border.