zonation

Zonation refers to the way different types of plants, animals, or habitats are arranged in distinct zones or layers within an environment, often shaped by factors like altitude, moisture, or temperature. This pattern occurs because specific species are adapted to certain conditions, so as environmental factors change gradually, different communities replace each other in a predictable sequence. For example, in a mountain, you might see lush forests at the bottom, then shrubs higher up, and finally sparse vegetation or snow near the peak. Zonation helps us understand how ecosystems organize themselves in response to environmental gradients.