Edge connectivity refers to the minimum number of edges that need to be removed from a graph to disconnect it. In simpler terms, it measures how well-connected the vertices of a graph are. A higher edge connectivity indicates a more robust network, as it would require the removal of more edges to separate the graph into disjoint parts. In graph theory, edge connectivity is denoted as λ(G), where G represents the graph in question. This concept is crucial in various applications, including network design and reliability analysis, as it helps identify critical connections that, if severed, could disrupt communication or flow within the network.