subclimaxn.
/ˌsʌbˈklʌɪmaks/, U.S. /ˌsəbˈklaɪˌmæks/ Ecology.
The stage in an ecological succession preceding the climax, or at which a plant community is prevented by climatic or other factors from reaching the natural climax. Also attributive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > balance of nature > [noun] > replacement of one species by another > climax
climax1899
post-climax1916
preclimax1916
subclimax1916
proclimax1930
polyclimax1933
monoclimax1934
plagioclimax1935
disclimax1936
1916 F. E. Clements Plant Succession vi. 107 Such apparent climaxes are always subordinate to the normal developmental or climatic climax, and may accordingly be distinguished as subclimaxes.
1941 J. S. Huxley Uniqueness of Man iii. 104 If grassland is not the natural climax of plant life, but is only a ‘sub-climax’,..then it will stand very heavy grazing.
1979 Nature 11 Oct. 425/2 Weedy herbs support fewer fungal parasites than do climax and subclimax herbs in the US.
2004 T. J. McEvoy Positive Impact Forestry ii. 36 Subclimax species..are the schizophrenics of forest trees because..they can assume the characteristics of either pioneer or climax species.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2012; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1916