ecotone

[ ek-uh-tohn, ee-kuh- ]

noun

, Ecology.

1. the transition zone between two different plant communities, as that between forest and prairie.

ecotone

/ ˈɛkə-; ˈiːkəˌtəʊn /

noun

1. the zone between two major ecological communities

ecotone

/ ē′kə-tōn′ /

1. 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.
2. See also edge effect

Derived Forms

• ˈecoˌtonal, adjective

Other Words From

• eco·tonal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ecotone¹

1900–05; eco- + tone < Greek tónos tension

Word History and Origins

Origin of ecotone¹

C20: from eco ( logy) + -tone, from Greek tonos tension, tone

Example Sentences

The project, which has been underway for more than a decade, has a mouthful of a name — Boreal Forest Warming at an Ecotone in Danger, or B4WARMED for short — but a clear objective.

From Washington Post

“No mom, you don’t. I live in an ecotone. Employment must coexist with goofing off. Responsibility must coexist with irresponsibility.”

From Literature

“Ari, do you know what an ecotone is?”

From Literature

“It’s the terrain where two different ecosystems meet. In an ecotone, the landscape will contain elements of the two different ecosystems. It’s like a natural borderlands.”

From Literature

DJ Ecotone, a self-described wildlife D.J., as well as yoga classes as part of the Conservation Society’s Elephant Yoga Challenge.

From New York Times