Theory 72/Ecosystem/Habitat edges
Edge Effects Follow Shape
The claim
The depth of edge influence is set by the ratio of perimeter to area, so a long thin reserve is mostly edge while a compact one is mostly interior.
01Mechanism
Edges change conditions inward over a fixed depth; the fraction affected depends on shape.
02Prediction
Interior fraction should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Interior fraction tracking area alone would remove shape.