Edge effects can result in species loss and homogenization of patches across the landscape for a number of reasons. One key factor is that edges tend to have different environmental conditions than the interior of a patch. For example, an edge might have more light or wind exposure, which can lead to changes in temperature, moisture levels, and vegetation structure. These changes can create new microhabitats that are different from those found in the interior of a patch, and some species may not be able to adapt to these new conditions.
In addition, edges can act as barriers to movement, particularly for species that are adapted to specific types of vegetation or that have limited dispersal abilities. This can lead to isolation and reduced gene flow between populations, which can increase the risk of genetic drift and reduce overall genetic diversity.
Over time, these factors can lead to the loss of specialized or sensitive species that are unable to adapt to the new conditions created by edge effects. At the same time, more generalist species that are able to tolerate a wider range of environmental conditions may become more common in edge habitats, leading to homogenization across the landscape.