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Question #46053
The Question
During ecological succession, a community eventually reaches a climax stage that is in near equilibrium with the environment. Which of the following statements regarding the climax community is INCORRECT?
Options
- A.
Gross primary productivity (GPP) is nearly equal to community respiration, causing Net Community Productivity to approach zero.
- B.
It exhibits maximum species diversity, complex food webs, and high niche specialization compared to pioneer stages.
- C.
It demonstrates the highest ecological resilience to sudden, catastrophic climatic shifts due to maximum functional redundancy.
- D.
The dominant species are typically K-selected, exhibiting high competitive ability but lower dispersal rates than early seral species.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Sacred Groves as Refugia|Ecotone and Edge Effect|Rivet Popper Hypothesis
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
Conceptual Pivot: Conflating 'Stability' (homeostasis under constant conditions) with 'Resilience' (recovery from catastrophic disturbance).
Students often assume the climax community is the 'ultimate' stage in every metric.
However, the high niche specialization in climax communities actually reduces functional redundancy, making them more vulnerable to sudden, novel climatic shifts compared to the generalist-dominated seral stages.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Biodiversity and Conservation - Class 12 |
| Concept | Rivet Popper Hypothesis |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |