clino-, clin-, -clinal, -cline, -clinic

1. Reflecting ecological conditions in general.
2. A more or less continuous character variation in a sequence of populations distributed along an ecological gradient, with each population exhibiting local adaptation to its particular segment of the gradient.
3. The differences in community structure resulting from changes in slope aspect around a mountain or ridge.

A gradual change of character across a geographical region due to gene flow.

A part of the Earth's crust which is subjected to downward warping during a large span of geological time: A geocline is a usually elongated, basinlike depression along the edge of a continent in which a thick sequence of sediments and volcanic deposits have accumulated.

A vertical gradient in the saltiness of the ocean: Thomas learned that salinity in a halocline, a middle layer of oceanic water, increases swiftly with depth than in the layers below or above it.

Pertaining to, or designating an offspring influenced by matrocliny or exhibiting inheritance as in matrocliny.