to differentiate between them. Fluctuation change does not occur 

 exclusively in the climax, but occurs also in successional stages. 

 The magnitude of fluctuation is probably greater in the serai 

 stages than in the near-terminal and climax, but the magnitude 

 cannot be used as a criterion to differentiate a succession stage 

 and a climax. 



An analysis of the environmental gradients and of each type 

 of change within and between communities provides a reliable 

 means of determining the successional or climax status. The 

 steady-state communities making up mosaic patterns correspond- 

 ing to the patterns of long-enduring environmental gradients are 

 considered as climax. Such changes as do occur in these commu- 

 nities are regarded as being within the framework of the climax. 



GENERAL REFERENCES 



Churchill, E. D. and Hanson, H. C, "The Concept of Climax in Arctic and 

 Alpine Vegetation," Botan. Rev., 24, 127-191 (1958). 



Clements, F. E., "Plant Succession," Carnegie Inst. Washington Pubi, No. 242 

 (1916). 



Conard, H. S., "The Background of Plant Ecology" (trans, from the German 

 of Kerner, A., 1863, "The Plant Life of the Danube Basin" ), Iowa State Col- 

 lege Press, Ames, 1951. 



Cowles, H. C, "The Causes of Vegetative Cycles," Botan. Gaz-, 51, 161-183 

 (1911). 



Tansley, A. C, "The Use and Abuse of Vegetation Concepts and Terms," Ecol- 

 ogy, 16, 284-307 (1935). 



Watt, A. S., "Pattern and Process in the Plant Community," Jowr. EcoL, 35, 1-22 

 (1947). 



Whittaker, R. H., "A Consideration of the Climax Theory: The Climax as a 

 Population and Pattern," Ecol. Monogr., 23, 41-78 (1953). 



Habitat Pattersms, Chaxmges, ax%d ClmMimax • 167 



