Which of the following statements is not correct regarding an ecotone?...
- An ecotone is a zone of junction or a transition area between two biomes (diverse ecosystems). Ecotone is the zone where two communities meet and integrate. For e.g. 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). Hence option (b) is the correct answer.
- 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.
- Ecotone regions like mangroves, wetlands, estuaries etc have far greater productivity than natural ecosystem like a forest ecosystem, ocean ecosystem, pond ecosystem, riverine ecosystem etc.
- This is because of the wide-ranging species from the adjacent ecosystem being present in the ecotone.
- Edge effect:
- 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.
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Which of the following statements is not correct regarding an ecotone?...
Explanation:
Ecotone Definition:
An ecotone is the transitional zone where two different ecosystems meet and integrate. It is characterized by a unique mix of species from both ecosystems and often exhibits distinct ecological dynamics.
Incorrect Statement:
A grassland is an ecotone between marine and terrestrial ecosystem.
This statement is not correct because an ecotone is typically a transition zone between two adjacent terrestrial or aquatic ecosystems, rather than between marine and terrestrial ecosystems. A grassland itself is a distinct ecosystem, not an ecotone between marine and terrestrial habitats.
Correct Statements:
1. It is the zone where two communities meet and integrate:
Ecotones serve as a boundary area where species from both ecosystems interact and coexist. This interaction leads to unique species compositions and ecological processes.
2. It has a far greater productivity than an individual natural ecosystem:
Ecotones are known for their high productivity due to the diversity of species and resources available. The mixing of species and environmental conditions in ecotones often results in increased productivity compared to the adjacent ecosystems.
3. Changes in population or community structures are observed in this region:
Ecotones are dynamic areas where shifts in population sizes, species compositions, and community structures are commonly observed. These changes are driven by the interactions between species from different ecosystems and the unique environmental conditions present in the ecotone.
In conclusion, while ecotones are important transition zones between ecosystems, they are not typically characterized by a grassland serving as an ecotone between marine and terrestrial habitats.