What is the Difference Between Ecocline and Ecotone?

The main difference between an ecocline and an ecotone lies in the nature of the transition they represent. Here are the key differences between the two:

• Ecocline: An ecocline refers to the gradient change of physicochemical characteristics between two ecosystems. It is based on the variation of physicochemical parameters, such as temperature, pH, or salinity, and the species in the transition zone often exhibit adaptations to these changing conditions.
• Ecotone: An ecotone is a zone of transition between two different plant communities or ecosystems. It has some of the characteristics of each bordering biological community and often contains species not found in the overlapping communities. The species differentiation in an ecotone is more pronounced, as the communities on either side of the transition zone are distinct.

Both ecoclines and ecotones are transition zones in ecosystems, and they play an important role in defining ecosystem variations. They are both related to ecology, and they analyze the behavior of species in varied ecological conditions. However, an ecocline is more focused on the gradual change of physicochemical characteristics, while an ecotone is more focused on the differentiation between species existing in different ecosystems.

Comparative Table: Ecocline vs Ecotone

Here is a table comparing the differences between an ecocline and an ecotone:

Both ecocline and ecotone are transition zones in an ecosystem, but they differ in their focus and characteristics. An ecocline is based on the gradient change of physicochemical characteristics between two ecosystems, while an ecotone is based on the variation between species existing in different ecosystems.