ecotone.pptx

A COMPLETE INFORMATION ABOUT ECOTONE, EDGE EFFECT, ITS FORMATION ETC.

1. PRESENTATION ON- ECOTONE PRESENTED BY :- BY:- SAKSHI PRIYA BSC BOTANY (HONS.) PART-II SESSION- 18-21

2. An ecotone is an area that acts as a boundary or a transition between two ecosystems . A common example could be an area of marshland between a river and its riverbank. Ecotones are of great environmental importance. Because the area is a transition between two ecosystems or biomes, it is natural that it contains a large variety of species of fauna and flora as the area is influenced by both the bordering ecosystems. INTRODUCTION

3. Example-the   mangrove forests  represent an ecotone between marine and terrestrial  ecosystem . Other examples are  grassland  (between forest and desert),  estuary  (between fresh water and salt water) and  riverbank or marshland  (between dry and wet).

4. * An ecotonal area often has a higher density of organisms of one species and a greater number of species than are found in either flanking  community . Some organisms need a transitional area for activities such as  courtship , nesting, or foraging for food.

5. It may be narrow (between grassland and forest) or wide (between forest and desert). It has  conditions intermediate  to the adjacent ecosystems. Hence it is a  zone of tension . Usually, the number and the population density of the species of an outgoing community decreases as we move away from the community or  ecosystem . A well-developed ecotone contains some organisms which are entirely different from that of the adjoining communities. CHARACTERISTICS OF ECOTONE

6.   It has some of the characteristics of each bordering  biological community  and often contains species not found in the overlapping communities . The influence of the two bordering communities on each other is known as the  edge effect .

7. Edge effect refers to the  changes in population or community  structures that  occur at the boundary of two habitats ( ecotone ) . Sometimes the number of species and the population density of some of the species in the ecotone is much greater than either community. This is called  edge effect . The organisms which occur primarily or most abundantly in this zone are known as  edge species . In the terrestrial ecosystems edge effect is especially applicable to  birds . For example, the  density of birds is greater in the ecotone  between the forest and the desert. EDGE EFFECT- EDGE SPECIES

8. FIG:- EDGE EFFECT

9. An Ecotone can basically be formed in two ways:- 1.) Natural   Ecotones - can be formed through abiotic factors such as changes in soil composition. Ecotones are very common on mountain ranges due to a wide variety of climatic conditions observed on the slopes of mountains . 2.)Human interaction   E cotones -can also be formed as a result of  human interaction . For example, the transition between areas of forest and cleared land. FORMATION OF ECOTONES

10. FIG:- NATURAL ECOTONE FIG:- ARTIFICIAL ECOTONE

11. The Ecotone has the characteristics of the two bordering ecosystem. As a result, it has a very high density of organisms and variety of species can be found in an ecotone . They act as a bridge for gene-flow from one community to other and provide habitat to a large number of species. Due to these characteristics, ecotones have a very rich and vibrant biodiversity. Therefore, ecotones are areas of a great environmental importance. An Ecotone can act as a buffer-zone protecting the neighbouring ecosystem from possible environmental damage. For example, Mangrove forests provide a natural buffer against Tsunamis and a wetland could absorb pollutants to prevent them from entering into an estuary. Ecotones are very ecologically sensitive areas. They are natural indicators of climate change and its consequences. Thereby, they have been a matter of greater scientific interests. IMPORTANCE OF ECOTONES

12. COLLEGE BOTANY-VOLUME 3 SCIENCE DIRECT BIOLOGY DISCUSSION NEOSTENCIL CLIMATE RESEARCH REFERENCES