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The climax of a biological community is the ecologists\' name for the equilibrium which is adopted when the process of succession has run its course and the species which make up the community are able to exist in a stable state of dynamic equilibrium, providing the environment (climate, soil, water supply, etc.) is also stable. Most communities which are undisturbed are said to be climax communities; where disturbance occurs, the return of environmental stability leads to a re-establishment of the climax community, via a series of transient community types. Thus oak forest, the climax community of much of the British Isles, is the natural end point for areas of disturbed land which are allowed to develop without interference. RB
See also conservation; succession. |
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