Edge effects

Okay, so imagine you have a big forest with lots of trees and animals, and you decide to draw a square in the middle of the forest. The square is where you will build your house!

But, when you start building your house, you notice something funny happening. The animals and plants that used to be inside the square are acting differently than the ones that were outside. They seem to be different sizes, colors, and there are more or less of them than before.

This is called an “edge effect”. An edge effect happens when there is a change in the environment around the edge of a habitat (like the forest square you drew). When you build your house on the edge of the forest, it changes the habitat in ways that can affect the plants and animals living there.

For instance, when you build your house, it might scare away some of the animals, like deer and rabbits, or attract new animals, like raccoons and squirrels, who might come to eat the food you leave out for them. This can change the balance of the ecosystem.

Edge effects can also lead to changes in the temperature, humidity, and sunlight of the area around the edge. The side of the habitat that's closer to the edge may get more sunlight, making it drier than the side that’s farther away, which can affect which plants can grow in that area.

So, if you want to build your house on the edge of the forest, it’s important to be aware of the edge effect and how it can impact the environment around you!