[ek-uh-tohn, ee-kuh-] 
| the transition zone between two different plant communities, as that between forest and prairie. |
| ecotone (ē'kə-tōn') Pronunciation Key
A transitional zone between two ecological communities, as between a forest and grassland or a river and its estuary. An ecotone has its own characteristics in addition to sharing certain characteristics of the two communities. See also edge effect. |
əˌtoʊn