What is a climax community?
Q: What is a climax community?
A: A climax community is a stable biological community of plants, animals and fungi that reaches a steady state after a process of ecological succession.
Q: What can cause changes in the stability of a climax community?
A: Invasive species and climate change can cause changes in the stability of a climax community.
Q: Is the stability of a climax community guaranteed?
A: No, the stability of a climax community is not guaranteed.
Q: Why does a climax community reach equilibrium?
A: A climax community reaches equilibrium because it is composed of species that are best adapted to the average conditions in that area.
Q: Where else is the term "climax community" sometimes applied?
A: The term "climax community" is sometimes also applied in soil development.
Q: Who originated the idea of a single climatic climax?
A: Frederic Clements originated the idea of a single climatic climax in relation to regional climate in the early 1900s.
Q: Who first analyzed succession leading to something like a climax?
A: Henry Cowles first analyzed succession leading to something like a climax in 1899, but it was Clements who used the term "climax" to describe the idealized endpoint of succession.
