Previous Year Question
The transitional zone between two distinct communities is known as
A.
Ecotype
B.
Ecade
C.
Ecosphere
D.
Ecotone
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
An Ecotone is a transition zone between two different ecological communities, where the characteristics of the two communities meet and overlap.
For example, the area between a forest and a grassland, or an estuary between freshwater and marine ecosystems, can represent an Ecotone.
An Ecotone may be very narrow or considerably wide. It may contain species belonging to both adjoining communities as well as some species specially adapted to the transitional zone.
In many Ecotones, species richness or the abundance of certain species may be greater than in the adjoining communities. This phenomenon is known as the Edge Effect.