climax community

views updated May 29 2018

climax community(climax vegetation) The plants that inhabit an area within which the final stage of a succession has been reached (see climax). The community is self-perpetuating, except that changes may occur very slowly and over a time-scale that is extensive compared with the rapid and dramatic changes during the early stages of succession. See also climax theory.

climax community

views updated May 29 2018

climax community (climax vegetation) The final stage of a plant succession, in which vegetation reaches a state of equilibrium with the environment. The community is self-perpetuating, except that changes may occur very slowly and over a time-scale that is extensive compared with the rapid and dramatic changes during the early stages of succession. See also CLIMAX THEORY.

climax community

views updated May 11 2018

climax community A relatively stable ecological community that is achieved at the end of a succession.