Tension zone

A tension zone is a transitional zone between two distinctive zones, the zones may be influenced by climatic factors,[1][2] and geological variation.[3] creating a floristic tension zone.[4] A marine tension zone may be affected by variables such as depth, climate or salinity.[5] In a tension zone there is the increased probability of hybridization between species of the separate zones and thus the tension zone may also be a hybrid zone.[6]

Historically tension zones were entirely natural in origin, however human activity has altered the tension zones in a variety of areas all over the world.[7]

  1. ^ Wisconsin's weather and climate By Joseph M. Moran, Edward J. Hopkins p. 112 ISBN 0-299-17184-1
  2. ^ Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands: Abiotic and Floristic Characterization, U.S. E.P.A. [1]
  3. ^ Popular Science Monthly, Volume 57 p. 108
  4. ^ Michigan State University :The Floristic Tension Zone
  5. ^ Advances in Marine Biology, Volume 31 edited by J. H. S. Blaxter, Alan J. Southward p. 30
  6. ^ Barton, N. H., & Hewitt, G. M. (1985). Analysis of hybrid zones. Annual review of Ecology and Systematics, 113-148.
  7. ^ Global Desertification Tension Zones