The Edge Effect arises from the juxtaposition of contrasting environments. The term is most often used in conjunction with the boundary between natural habitats, but here, it is extrapolated to the "environment" of the human psyche and culture.

When an edge is created to any natural system, and the area outside the boundary is an unnatural system, the natural system is seriously affected for some distance in from the edge.

This may affect the system close to the edge by encouraging rampant growth of opportunistic species, thoughts and concepts at the edge.