5-6+Edge+(Ecotone)



Imagine a dry, brown ground. There are twigs and dead leaves scattered all over. A spider crawls around stealthily, and a group of ants spread out quickly. A lonely bird nest sits on a bare tree. A honeysuckle bush towers over the other plants. This special space has a variety of plants, so it is not a monoculture ecosystem. Welcome to the Ecotone.

**__Shrub Heights and Tree Diameters Graphs__**

Definition Poem // Ecotone // // The edge of biodiversity // // Located near the forest and field // // The ruler of the boundary // // Beautiful landscape // // Respected by all // 





 While we were outside, we saw that there was a bird’s nest on a branch in a tree above us. It blended in really well with the tree so we thought it was really interesting to see it. It was in the bright sun and we didn’t see any birds so we wondered if it was an occupied or unoccupied nest. We were amazed how it was hanging off the branch and how birds can make that. A possible succession as it could fall and there goes a home. What a great thing to observe.



Analysis of the Environment The edge is a grassy environment with many shrubs and low plants. Most of the ground is bare, with a lot of dead leaves and twigs. There are a few small trees on the edge, which could be used as a shelter for birds and other small animals. Due to all of the dead ground cover, bugs are able to decompose it. The shrubs are good for shelter, as well as the tall plants. Most of the ground is pretty soft, so animals are able to dig easily. Although the ground has a lot of dead substances on it, there is a lot of vegetation in the area. This makes it so the herbivores in the edge can eat. Some of the **biotic** factors in our environment were trees, shrubs, grass, flowers, ants, flies, and spiders. A few of the **abiotic** factors that we saw were dead leaves, twigs, and rocks. These rocks are good for bugs, because they can live underneath them. That is the analysis of the edge.

