tension zone

A tension zone is a transitional zone between two distinctive zones, the zones may be influenced by climatic factors,Wisconsin's weather and climate By Joseph M. Moran, Edward J. Hopkins p. 112 {{ISBN|0-299-17184-1}}Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands: Abiotic and Floristic Characterization, U.S. E.P.A. [http://www.epa.gov/ecopage/wetlands/glc/glctext.html] and geological variation.Popular Science Monthly, Volume 57 p. 108 creating a floristic tension zone.[http://www.geo.msu.edu/geogmich/floristiczone.html Michigan State University :The Floristic Tension Zone] A marine tension zone may be affected by variables such as depth, climate or salinity.Advances in Marine Biology, Volume 31 edited by J. H. S. Blaxter, Alan J. Southward p. 30 In a tension zone there is the increased probability of hybridization between species of the separate zones and thus the tension zone may also be a hybrid zone.Barton, N. H., & Hewitt, G. M. (1985). Analysis of hybrid zones. Annual review of Ecology and Systematics, 113-148.

Historically tension zones were entirely natural in origin, however human activity has altered the tension zones in a variety of areas all over the world.[http://usda.gov/use/worldsoils/papers/tensionzone-paper.html Global Desertification Tension Zones]