Definition

Describing areas where two different ecosystems meet and interact, often leading to unique environmental conditions and species.

Example

The ecotonal region between the forest and the grassland is rich in biodiversity.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of ecotonal areas in nature?

Yeah, I think they are where different ecosystems meet, right?

Exactly! They have such unique biodiversity due to the mix of habitats.

I’d love to explore an ecotonal region someday.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ecotonal is formed from "eco-" (from Greek "oikos", meaning house or environment) and "tonal" (from Latin "tonalis", meaning relating to tone). The word describes areas where different ecological communities meet, reflecting the 'tone' or character of both environments.

Memory Tip

Think of 'eco-' as relating to the environment or 'house' and 'tonal' as relating to the character or 'tone' of that environment. This helps you remember that 'ecotonal' refers to the meeting point of different ecological areas.

Visually Confused Words