Climatology 



The study of Climates and their influences. 



Climax 



The kind of community capable of perpetuation under 

 the prevailing climatic and edaphic conditions; the terminal 

 stage of a Sere under the prevailing conditions. The physi- 

 ographic climax is a climax determined in large measure by 

 the nature of the topography or soil, e.g., a forest climax on 

 a north-facing slope while grassland is the climax on the 

 south-facing slope of the same ridge. The edaphic climax 

 is a climax determined largely by the nature of the soil 

 conditions, e.g., a saltgrass marsh in a poorly drained alkaline 

 depression in grassland. A biotic 'climax is a climax caused 

 by a permanent influence or combination of influences caused 

 by one or more kinds of organisms, including man. cf. 

 Climatic climax, Succession. 



Climax Area 



A region occupied by the same Climax. 



Climax Community 



See Climax. 



Climax Complex 



The totality of Seres that lead to a Climatic climax 

 (q. v.), occupying a large area corresponding to a Climatic 

 region. 



Climax Formation 



A major Climax occupying a large area, e.g., the decidu- 

 ous forest formation, cf. Climatic formation. 



Climax Units 



The units of a Climatic climax (q. v.); Association, Con- 

 sociation, Society, Clan. 



Climax Vegetation 



A pattern or complex of Climax (q. v.) stages correspond- 



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