Define the term "edge effect" and its implications for biodiversity in fragmented ecosystems.

The term "edge effect" refers to the changes in population or community structures that occur at the boundary of two habitats. In an ecological context, the edge effect is the effect of the juxtaposition or placing side by side of contrasting environments on an ecosystem. This term is commonly used in relation to the boundary between natural habitats, especially forests, and disturbed or developed land.

In fragmented ecosystems, such as a forest divided by a road, the edge effect can have significant implications for biodiversity. The conditions along the edge of a fragment differ from the conditions in the interior, leading to a greater diversity of habitats in the area overall. However, these edge habitats can be harsher, with more wind, sunlight, and temperature variability than the interior.

This can benefit some species that thrive in these conditions, but it can also harm species that are adapted to the more stable conditions of the interior. For example, some plant species may not be able to survive the drier, hotter conditions at the edge of a forest fragment, leading to a decrease in plant diversity in these areas.

Furthermore, the edge effect can also lead to an increase in the abundance of some species that can adapt to the edge conditions, potentially leading to an imbalance in the ecosystem. For example, predators that thrive in edge habitats may increase in number, leading to a decrease in their prey species.

Overall, while the edge effect can increase habitat diversity in a fragmented ecosystem, it can also lead to decreases in biodiversity and imbalances in the ecosystem if the conditions favor certain species over others.