|
Abstract : |
Ecotone is not just a transition zone between two adjacent ecosystems. It represents the range of interference between two ecosystems, plant communities, small patches forming a mosaic structure of the vegetation or individuals. The width of this range (ecotone) is controlled in two ways: (A) the environmental factors at the first stages of interference, when the individuals of the two interfered ecosystems are in the seedling stage. (B) The biological characteristics of the two adjacent ecosystems individuals, at juvenility and maturity stages. It is difficult to separate the effects of environmental factors from biotic factors upon the ecosystems and their ecotones, but we can detect the main limiting factor. The interaction of the environmental factors and biological characteristics may lead to form a new hybrid ecosystem. This work is an attempt to classify the ecotones according to the factors which affect their characteristics. This suggested classification may help to facilitate the study of ecotones, explain the co-existence and the relations between adjacent ecosystems, communities and their structure and detect the maximum interference between individuals. , Ecotone is not just a transition zone between two adjacent ecosystems. It represents the range of interference between two ecosystems, plant communities, small patches forming a mosaic structure of the vegetation or individuals. The width of this range (ecotone) is controlled in two ways: (A) the environmental factors at the first stages of interference, when the individuals of the two interfered ecosystems are in the seedling stage. (B) The biological characteristics of the two adjacent ecosystems individuals, at juvenility and maturity stages. It is difficult to separate the effects of environmental factors from biotic factors upon the ecosystems and their ecotones, but we can detect the main limiting factor. The interaction of the environmental factors and biological characteristics may lead to form a new hybrid ecosystem. This work is an attempt to classify the ecotones according to the factors which affect their characteristics. This suggested classification may help to facilitate the study of ecotones, explain the co-existence and the relations between adjacent ecosystems, communities and their structure and detect the maximum interference between individuals., |
