Edge of the forest - what is it?

A picturesque border surrounded by green groves and wild taiga forest edge. This is the best place for country walks and picnics - here, in the transparent space between the thicket and fields, among the various bushes and trees grow mushrooms and berries, a lot of sun and shade, for this reason it is loved by animals and birds. What distinguishes the edge from a full-fledged forest is worth learning more.

What is it?

The word itself originates from the original meaning of "the rim of the clothing edge with something fluffy." So it is, the edge of the forest is its furry edge. In dictionaries there is a clear definition of this picturesque forest object - a narrow, no more than 100 meters wide strip along the forest boundary, which differs from its forest vegetation. The abundance of light and penumbra allows to fully develop those plants, which in the deaf often lacks sunlight. Among the vegetation, light-loving shrubs and stunted trees predominate. The variety of herbs and flowers is supported by representatives of neighboring natural communities. Sometimes the edges along the forest are planted artificially, to protect the forest area from the destructive action of open spaces. For bees there is expanse, under such conditions, various honey-plants grow well. Among the abundance of various plantings, various representatives of the animal world perfectly coexist.

Ecosystem boundary

The outbreak of the forest is a transitional line between two full-fledged ecosystems. In fact, this is a separate geobotanical community, which absorbed the basic biological features of neighboring ecological systems and united them in its structure. Vegetation smoothly passes from one zone to another. Significantly changes not only the flora, but also the fauna. The predominance of the lower tiers of forest vegetation provides the presence of natural shelters for all kinds of birds and rodents. Many birds prefer to live on the edge of natural areas, and not inside the forest thicket, where there are many predators and not enough sunlight. The transitional belt of low shrubs also serves as protection against violent winds, capable of cutting down trees. The gusts of the wind break down on the undersized plantations, which he can not tear out because of the small sails. This protective transition strip is a complex system of closely related elements of nature.

Edge of the forest in creativity

Forest is an integral part of the spiritual world of man. In Russian literature and art there are many poetic lines and paintings, where the edge of the forest is depicted. Mentions about it are found in Russian folklore - songs, fairy tales, proverbs. The charm of the forest image is abundantly represented in literary creation. Forest edge often acts as an ideal of harmony in the landscapes of great artists.

What is the edge of the forest is a place where the beauty of massive thickets and the open expanse of meadows and fields have gathered together. Here its a special animal world, whose representatives easily find shelter in a transparent undergrowth. The developed transition strip serves as an excellent protection for the forest itself.