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Edge effects
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Ecology/YE8upuJU">ecology</a>, edge effects are changes in <a href="/facts/Population_ecology/D6Sy5QfY">population</a> or <a href="/facts/Community_(ecology)/HnQwVCdz">community</a> structures that occur at the boundary of two or more <a href="/facts/Habitat/zo1DN2gA">habitats</a>. Areas with small <a href="/facts/Habitat_fragmentation/uVIVdT70">habitat fragments</a> exhibit especially pronounced edge effects that may extend throughout the range. As the edge effects increase, the boundary habitat allows for greater <a href="/facts/Biodiversity/GruakEzs">biodiversity</a>. </p><p><a href="/facts/Urbanization/GQq0oqft">Urbanization</a> is causing humans to continuously <a href="/facts/Habitat_fragmentation/uVIVdT70">fragment</a> landscapes and thus increase the edge effect. This change in <a href="/facts/Landscape_ecology/dHH4IgVp">landscape ecology</a> is proving to have consequences. <a href="/facts/Generalist_and_specialist_species/HBajVhNJ">Generalist</a> species, especially <a href="/facts/Invasive_species/Ya1v6RGx">invasive</a> ones, have been seen to benefit from this landscape change whilst specialist species are suffering. For example, the <a href="/facts/Alpha_diversity/ULe7gUyj">alpha diversity</a> of edge-intolerant birds in <a href="/facts/Lacandon_Jungle/d0hJxD5C">Lacandona rainforest</a>, Mexico, is decreasing as edge effects increase. </p>