NOTES ON ECOTONE ATTRIBUTES AND FUNCTIONS

We attempt to identify general properties of ecotones. Earlier attempt s to do so encountered difficulties resulting from contradictory conce ptions of ecotones. Thus, we begin with and center our discussion on a definition of ecotone. The definition is complex. It includes scaling , structural, and functional aspects. Based on this complex definition , we offer a brief review of what is an ecotone, what attributes it ha s, and how it influences other habitats of interest. We identify feedb ack as a possibly important but ignored function of ecotones. This dis cussion is presented in general terms which apply to a variety of ecol ogical situations. We point out that results of an evaluation of ecoto ne attributes largely depends on the spatial and temporal scale at whi ch ecotone is conceptualized and data are collected. We suggest that s ome of ecotone determinants scale naturally in a repeatable fashion am ong various aquatic systems. Finally, we point to the concentration of dynamic properties of ecotones as applied to land/water interface.