The community begins with relatively few pioneering plants and animals and develops through increasing complexity until it becomes stable or self-perpetuating as a climax community. The "engine" of succession, the cause of ecosystem change, is the impact of establishedspecies upon their own environments.

The initial community is known as pioneers. The final community is known as climax. The stages between Pioneer and climax are known as seral stages...

Ecological succession is the gradual process of change in the species composition of a given area over time. The final stable community in ecological succession is called the climax community.

Explanation:

1. What is a climax community?
- A climax community is a stable and self-sustaining community of plants and animals that has reached a state of equilibrium with its environment after a long period of ecological succession.

2. How does ecological succession occur?
- Ecological succession occurs when an area of land is newly created or disturbed by some natural or human-caused event, such as a volcanic eruption, a wildfire, or a clear-cutting of a forest.
- The process begins with the colonization of the area by pioneer species, such as lichens, mosses, and grasses.
- These species are able to survive in harsh and inhospitable conditions, and they begin to modify the environment by breaking down rocks and adding organic matter to the soil.
- As the environment becomes more hospitable, other species, such as shrubs and trees, begin to colonize the area, eventually leading to the development of a mature forest or other ecosystem.

3. How does a climax community differ from earlier stages of succession?
- A climax community is characterized by a high level of biodiversity and a complex web of interactions between species.
- It is also able to maintain a balance between the various elements of the ecosystem, such as the nutrient cycle, the water cycle, and the energy flow.
- In contrast, earlier stages of succession are characterized by a low level of biodiversity and a simple food chain.

4. What factors influence the development of a climax community?
- The development of a climax community is influenced by a variety of factors, including the climate, the soil, the availability of water, and the presence or absence of disturbances such as fires or floods.
- Different types of ecosystems will have different climax communities, depending on these factors.

Conclusion:

The climax community is the final stage of ecological succession, characterized by a high level of biodiversity and a complex web of interactions between species. It is a stable and self-sustaining community of plants and animals that has reached a state of equilibrium with its environment.