And the last stage is the climax community! It is the endpoint of the succession process and will barely change until a disturbance occurs. It has multiple populations and consists of biotic and abiotic factors. Climax communities maintain homeostasis and are balanced ecosystems with biodiversity therefore, making them sustainable. They include animals and consumers as well as mature and tall trees. This community is made up of Kapok trees which are found mainly in Tropical Rainforests, where we are right now!
shrubs and bushes .
tall trees .
mature trees .
KIDS! QUICK! WATCH OUT! ITS A FLOOD! One of earth's many NATURAL DISASTERS!
grasses .
rock .
lichen .
The flood weathered the whole ecosystem! Weathering occurred and the succession process restarted, but not all the way back to the beginning, as pioneer species are still remaining. Not just bare rock is remaining, but also soil and nutrients. This process of a climax community or intermediate community being impacted by a disturbance is called secondary succession. The pioneer species like grasses and lichen are still present as well as soil. Fast changes will occur now as the ecosystem has a foundation to evolve.