Climax species: Difference between revisions

 

Given the prevailing ecological conditions, climax species dominate the [[climax community]]. When the pace of succession slows down as the result of [[ecological homeostasis]], the maximum permitted [[biodiversity]] is reached.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Ernest SK | chapter = Homeostasis|date= January 2008 | title = Encyclopedia of Ecology|pages=1879–1884| veditors = Jørgensen SE, Fath BD |place=Oxford|publisher=Academic Press|language=en|doi=10.1016/b978-008045405-4.00507-3|isbn=978-0-08-045405-4 }}</ref> Their reproductive strategies and other adaptive characteristics can be considered more sophisticated than those of opportunistic species.<ref name=":02">{{cite journal| vauthors = Shimano K |date=2000-02-01|title=A power function for forest structure and regeneration pattern of pioneer and climax species in patch mosaic forests |journal=Plant Ecology|language=en|volume=146|issue=2|pages=205–218|doi=10.1023/A:1009867302660|issn=1573-5052}}</ref>

Through [[negative feedback]], they adapt themselves to specific environmental conditions. Climax species are mostly found in forests. Climax species, closely controlled by [[carrying capacity]], follow [[K strategy|K strategies]], wherein species produce fewer numbers of potential offspring, but invest more heavily in securing the reproductive success of each one to the micro-environmental conditions of its specific [[ecological niche]]. Climax species might be [[Semelparity and Iteroparity|iteroparous]], [[Efficient energy use|energy consumption efficient]] and [[Biogeochemical cycle|nutrient cycling]].<ref>{{cite web | vauthors = McShaffrey D | publisher = Marietta College | url = http://www.marietta.edu/~mcshaffd/eco/sym/4SPEC98.html | title = Relationships Among Species | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090616010027/http://www.marietta.edu/~mcshaffd/eco/sym/4SPEC98.html | archive-date = 16 June 2009 }}</ref>