High School

How is a climax community different from a primitive community?

A. The types of organisms present in a climax community are more complex.
B. Primitive communities tend to have less biodiversity than climax communities.
C. Climax communities are more stable than primitive communities.
D. All of the above

Please select the best answer from the choices provided: A, B, C, D.

Answer :

The correct answer is option (D). The statement All of the above correctly encapsulates the differences between a climax community and a primitive community in terms of complexity, biodiversity, and stability.

A climax community is the final stage in ecological succession and represents a stable and self-perpetuating community of plants and animals that is in equilibrium with the environment.

In contrast, a primitive or pioneer community is the initial stage of ecological succession, characterized by simple organisms that can tolerate harsh conditions. Here's how a climax community differs from a primitive community:

A. The types of organisms present in a climax community are more complex because over time, through the process of succession, more complex and diverse species replace the simpler ones. This leads to a community with a greater variety of niches and interdependent relationships.

B. Primitive communities tend to have less biodiversity than climax communities. Early stages of succession typically involve hardy, rapidly reproducing species that can withstand the often harsh conditions of a disturbed or newly available habitat. As succession progresses, more species are able to colonize the area, leading to increased biodiversity.

C. Climax communities are more stable than primitive communities. The species in a climax community are well-adapted to the local environment, and the community has reached a state of equilibrium where births, deaths, and immigration/emigration are balanced. This stability is maintained until a significant disturbance occurs, which could then reset the succession process.