Kantbredd

Kantbredd is a term in landscape ecology describing the width of the edge zone around a habitat boundary where edge effects influence conditions and organisms. It is not a fixed distance; its value depends on the landscape, edge type, and the ecological variable measured. In practice, kantbredd is estimated by examining how microclimate, vegetation structure, or species composition change with distance from the edge, usually along transects perpendicular to the boundary. The boundary is often defined where a chosen variable returns to interior reference levels or reaches a predefined threshold.

Several factors affect kantbredd. The contrast between adjoining habitats, sun exposure, wind, and topography all matter. Disturbance history and management practices, such as harvesting or clear-cutting, can widen or narrow the edge zone. Edges with strong contrasts (for example forest against open land) typically show broader edge effects than gradual transitions.

Understanding kantbredd is useful for biodiversity conservation, forestry, and land-use planning. A wider edge zone can alter species composition, increase vulnerability to invasive species, and change microhabitat conditions. However, the concept also helps avoid over- or under-estimating edge effects when designing reserves, buffers, or restoration projects.

Related concepts include edge effect, ecotone, and habitat fragmentation. In practice, kantbredd is assessed with field measurements and, increasingly, remote sensing and spatial modeling to map edge-affected areas.

Etymology: kantbredd combines the Swedish words kant (edge) and bredd (width).