Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 9
Ecotones and Ecological Gradients
Salit Kark
Glossary
Beta-diversity
Also termed species turnover, beta-diversity refers to the
change
in
species
as
one moves
between
habitats,
communities, or ecosystems.
Divergence-with-
gene-flow model
of speciation
A model explaining the process of species formation (specia-
tion) in which new species diverge in the face of gene flow; the
movement of genes within a group that results from mating
with immigrant individuals.
Ecotone
A transition zone between two or more different ecological
communities or regions.
Ecotone effect
The pattern of increased species richness (number of species)
and abundance in ecotones and the occurrence of unique
ecotonal species.
Edge effect
The effect of the juxtaposition of contrasting environments on
an ecosystem.
Geographic
information
systems (GIS)
A computer-based system for creating and managing spatial
data and associated attributes. It enables the capture, storage,
retrieval, analysis, and display of spatial (location-based) data.
