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preclimax
preclimax n.
Brit. 
/(ˌ)priːˈklʌɪmaks/
, /(ˌ)priːˈklʌɪmaks/U.S. /ˌpriˈklaɪˌmæks/
Ecology (a) (in the monoclimax theory of plant succession) a climax community which differs from that which might be predicted for the region due to adverse local environmental conditions; (b) a community preceding the climax community in a plant succession./ˌpriˈklaɪˌmæks/ΘΚΠ
the world > life > biology > balance of nature > [noun] > replacement of one species by another > climax
climax1899
post-climax1916
preclimax1916
subclimax1916
proclimax1930
polyclimax1933
monoclimax1934
plagioclimax1935
disclimax1936
1916 F. E. Clements Plant Succession vi. 110 As a consequence [of reduced water-content], development would cease before reaching the climax proper, and the potential community..may be called the preclimax.
1929 J. E. Weaver & F. E. Clements Plant Ecol. xviii. 424 The prairie itself is a preclimax to the deciduous forest with higher rainfall.
1960 N. Polunin Introd. Plant Geogr. xi. 331 There are instances in which an apparent climax constitutes in reality a preclimax, in that its..co-dominants are replaced by others more advanced in life-form.
1994 M. Allaby Conc. Oxf. Dict. Ecol. 315/1 Pre-climax, the community immediately preceding the climax, especially where there is forest (e.g. on light soils in Britain, beechwood is the pre-climax to oakwood).
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