Edge Effects

Edges can be a prominent part of landscapes that are subject to human alteration. They can have profound impacts and may be classified in various ways, including (among others): biotic/abiotic; soft/hard; and natural/human-derived. Biotic edge effects are characterized by marked variations in response between species, between vegetation types and between regions. It remains unclear how it will be possible accurately to predict which ecosystems, vegetation communities and individual vegetation species will be most susceptible to edge effects. Recent conceptual models offer promise but await further detailed testing. In the absence of a better understanding of edge effects, and of well-tested models, attempts to mitigate edge effects might be best tackled through traditional approaches such as buffers, the management of spatial patterns of vegetation cover (to limit the length of human-created boundaries) and targeted management of the matrix surrounding vegetation patches that are potentially susceptible to edge effects (e.g. to limit levels of structural and physical contrast between them).