AbstractInvestigations were carried out into the contemporary distribution and structure of the vegetation communities at Gunthorpe, Nottinghamshire on the floodplain of the River Trent. A 60 km reach of the river was examined to determine the overall distribution and structure of vegetation communities; the Gunthorpe site was chosen as a representative example. Three hundred and thirty‐nine separate plots were examined and the site contained 132 species. It is clear that the extent of zones of discontinuity or transition (ecotones) between different vegetation patches has decreased due to long‐term land‐use management. The overall number of vegetation patches has also been reduced. A hierarchy relating boundaries to external influences is proposed and the relationship of ecotones to more clearly differentiated patch habitats identified. Highest species diversity is seen to be associated with the transition zones or ecotonal habitats, particularly under conditions of moderate disturbance intensity. It is concluded that the ecotones remaining still provide a habitat for a wide range of species with differing autecological requirements, but all typical of less disturbed alluvial meadows and marshes. These zones of transition potentially provide a pool for species expansion given improved ecological conditions following river restoration mea