In scientific ecology, climax community or climatic climax community is a historic term for a community of plants, animals, and fungi which, through the process of ecological succession in the development of vegetation in an area over time, have reached a steady state. This equilibrium was thought to occur because the climax community is composed of species best adapted to average conditions in that area. The term is sometimes also applied in soil development. Nevertheless, it has been found that a "steady state" is more apparent than real, particularly across long timescales. Notwithstanding, it remains a useful concept.
Climax community in Tongass National Forest, Alaska, a Sitka spruce-western hemlock forest. The primary disturbances are floods, landslides, and salt spray, all of which occur only in small areas, allowing for a relatively stable equilibrium.
Ecological succession is the process of change in the species that make up an ecological community over time.
Succession after disturbance: a boreal forest one year (left) and two years (right) after a wildfire.
The Indiana Dunes on Lake Michigan, which stimulated Cowles' development of his theories of ecological succession
Secondary succession: trees are colonizing uncultivated fields and meadows.
A hydrosere community
