In our casual conceptualization of city, urbanity, and metropolitan spaces, we often overlook the diverse ecosystems that form transitional zones between multiple distinct ecological communities, marked by high biodiversity and the coexistence of species from adjacent communities. There is increasing scholarly interest in ec(h)otones due to their significant role in mediating interactions between ecosystems, affecting biogeochemical cycles and species distributions, and acting as indicators of environmental change, including the impacts of global warming and sustainable development. Debasree Sarkar writes.

Imagine this: you’re walking through dense Lithuanian forests. The chill bites through layers of wool, the smell of wet earth fills the air, and suddenly—there it is. A pack of Afghani tobacco, tucked beneath a fallen log. A deck of cards, edges frayed, smudged with soil. Dates bought in Belarus. Each of these objects isn’t just something forgotten in the woods. They’re part of a story— a story of risk, resilience, and desire. A dream of a better life. This photo essay by Julija Kekstaite draws on a collaborative research project on grief activism in the Lithuanian borderlands, conducted in partnership with Vuk Vukotic.