ecotone
the transition zone between two different plant communities, as that between forest and prairie.
Origin of ecotone
1Other words from ecotone
- ec·o·ton·al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for ecotone
/ (ˈiːkəˌtəʊn, ˈɛkə-) /
the zone between two major ecological communities
Origin of ecotone
1Derived forms of ecotone
- ecotonal, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for ecotone
[ ē′kə-tōn′ ]
A transitional zone between two ecological communities, as between a forest and grassland or a river and its estuary. An ecotone has its own characteristics in addition to sharing certain characteristics of the two communities. See also edge effect.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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