Edge effect: What is and consequences

The edge effect refers to the modifications in the biotic and physical processes of an ecosystem that arise as a product of an abrupt transition in an area that was previously homogeneous. In other words, it is the effect produced by the interruption of the continuity of habitats that were adjacent. The most frequent causes of this interruption are mostly related to human activities such as: for example:

• Construction of routes and roads.
• Urbanization.
• Forest fires, which can be natural or intentional.

The magnitude of the edge effect will depend on how large the contrast is between the new two areas that were previously continuous. These are some examples of this effect:

Edge effect on the Amazon jungle

An example of an edge effect is the one that is produced by the intense deforestation in the Amazon jungle. Here there is no transition area, but rather the jungle culminates with steep edges contrasting with a completely razed area. Precisely the contrast is so great, that it ends up causing modifications in the jungle microclimate.

Edge effect on the rain forest of Australia

The edge effect on forests usually has a greater impact. In this sense, the rainy forest of Australia has been fragmented and, although the effects are more notable at 200 meters from the edge, modifications have been noticed in up to more than 500 meters from the edge. This is because the wind impact increased in the forest and translated into greater dry soil, less moisture in the air and greater loss of water from the surface of the leaves. Undoubtedly, these changes in the microclimate severely impact the plant species of the forest.

Habitat fragmentation is a process by which a continuous area of ​​habitats is reduced and divided into fragments. As a result of this process, which causes ecosystem degradation, the fragments are isolated from each other, separated by a completely modified landscape. This isolation between fragments causes the so -called barrier effect that has strong consequences on biodiversity. In a continuous environment, the dispersion of seeds and spores and the movement of animals occurs actively through the landscape. In a fragmented environment, barriers are created that prevent the processes of dispersion and colonization of populations, as well as the search for food of individuals.

So how is the edge effect linked to habitat fragmentation? Well, both aspects are closely related since The edge effect is a consequence of habitat fragmentation Already measure that increases the fragmentation of the ecosystems, increases the proportion of the edge with respect to the surface of the remaining or remaining fragments or habitats and, in conclusion, the edge effect increases.

In the development of this post we have already mentioned that the consequences of the edge effect are linked to modifications to the biotic and physical processes of an ecosystem.

• Changes in the physical processes of an ecosystem caused by the edge effect, are reflected in microenvironment alterations, which includes an increase in the incidence of sunlight, wind and rain. In short, they are observed changes in microclimatespecifically in climatic factors, such as humidity, wind and temperature.
• They are also observed changes in soil nutrients and increase in fire frequency.
• The edge effect also produces modifications in the biotic processes associated with the species composition and interaction between themespecially in their respective competition and predation patterns. This is explained since the edge effect can become a deadly trap for some species, because specimens close to the edge are more exposed to predators or poachers compared to whether they were found in an area away from the edge.
• Also, the modifications in the microenvironment mentioned They favor the colonization of exotic specieswhich compete for resources with native species and, often, end up moving them.

Now that you have known the edge effect better, you may be interested in knowing the ecological corridors: what are, types and importance reading this other post. We also encourage you to better know habitats and ecosystems reading these other articles on habitat types and how an ecosystem works.

If you want to read more articles similar to Edge effect: What is and consequenceswe recommend that you enter our category of other environment.