Which ecological parameter generally decreases as an ecosystem reaches its climax stage?
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Correct answer: Net Community Productivity
In early succession, Net Community Productivity is high because plants are growing rapidly. In a climax community, the ratio of Gross Production to Respiration (P/R) approaches 1, meaning most energy is used for maintenance rather than new growth.
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More Succession questions
- Which of the following describes the sequence of communities that replace one another in a given area during ecological succession?
- What is the primary difference between primary and secondary succession?
- Succession that is driven by the biotic components (the organisms themselves) within an ecosystem is termed:
- Which of the following are typical pioneer species in a lithosere (succession on bare rock)?
- Succession that begins in a water body, such as a pond or lake, is specifically called:
- Which seral stage in a hydrosere involves plants like Typha and Sagittaria that are rooted in mud but have leaves above the water?