Hem (biotope type)

The border formed from perennials stands between the hedge and the roadside

The border is a vegetation formed by perennials of mostly narrow dimensions, which is formed when two different habitats meet. It is therefore an ecotone between forest and open land . A hem biotope has its own characteristic combination of species (see hem biocenosis ).

Ecological importance and endangerment

Edges fulfill a variety of ecological functions, for example as a rendezvous place for butterflies , wintering quarters for invertebrates , as a breeding ground and food biotope. Furthermore, seams serve to increase the structural diversity in the cultural landscape and play a decisive role as linear biotopes in the biotope network .

From agricultural technical point of view, the seam is valuable as a potential acreage and is too close to zoom in and under plow to frequent mowing , land consolidation and use of herbicides affected.

Hem examples:

M. Schaefer: Dictionary of Ecology. Fischer Verlag, Jena 1992, ISBN 3-8274-0618-8 .

Edge biotopes: grass borders and ruderal strips . Information service Agriculture - Food - Rural Areas BaWü. Retrieved October 10, 2014.