Answer :
To determine which statement about climax communities is FALSE, let's consider what a climax community is.
In ecology, a climax community is a stable and mature community that has reached a final stage of ecological succession. This stage is characterized by a stable ecosystem where the structure and composition of species remain relatively unchanged until disrupted by an event.
Let's analyze each statement:
A) A climax community can be short-lived.
- True. Although climax communities are generally considered stable and long-lasting, certain conditions, such as environmental changes or human interventions, can disrupt them, making them short-lived.
B) The species found in a climax community can continue to change.
- True. While a climax community is stable, small changes in species composition can still occur due to variations in environmental factors and minor disturbances that do not reset succession.
C) Changes in a community become more dramatic once the climax community develops.
- False. In a climax community, changes are typically less dramatic because the ecosystem has reached stability. Major changes are more likely during earlier successional stages, not in the climax stage.
D) Some climax communities are maintained by herbivory and periodic fires.
- True. Certain climax communities, such as grasslands and savannas, rely on disturbances like herbivory and fires to maintain their stability and prevent succession to a forested state.
Thus, the correct answer is C) Changes in a community become more dramatic once the climax community develops. This statement is FALSE because, in a climax community, changes are usually subtle, and dramatic changes are indicative of earlier successional stages.
