subclimax

American  

[suhb-klahy-maks] / sʌbˈklaɪ mæks /

noun

Ecology.

1. the development of an ecological community to a stage short of the expected climax because of some factor, as repeated fires in a forest, that arrests the normal succession.

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subclimax British  

/ sʌbˈklaɪmæks, ˌsʌbklaɪˈmæktɪk /

noun

1. ecology a community in which development has been arrested before climax has been attained

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subclimax Scientific  

/ sŭb-klī′măks′ /

1. A stage in the ecological succession of a plant or animal community immediately preceding a climax, often persisting because of the repeated effects of fire, flood, or other conditions.

2. See also climax community succession

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Other Word Forms

• subclimactic adjective

Etymology

Origin of subclimax

First recorded in 1930–35; sub- + climax