Dominant Species in Climax Community

[drzakisadiq]

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Hey guys,

I was looking at one of the Kaplan exams and it asked which would be the dominant species in a climax community and the choices were:
A) Mosses
B) Sun-loving trees
C) Shrubs
D) Annual Grasses
E) Shade Trees

The answer is E, but I have no idea why, any explanation on how to discern what the dominant species in a climax community would be is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[TarheelKid24]

Well for one thing, shade trees will always be dominant in these types of climax communities...

Hopefully you know that mosses are first then grasses then shrubs in ecological succession. Then come the trees...It makes sense that "sun-loving" trees are first because they are able to "reach" the sun above shrubs and grasses. But then, "shade-loving" trees come in and can grow under the sun-loving trees, making them the dominant species aka they are the final step in succession in these cases.

 

[osimsDDS]

Well for one thing, shade trees will always be dominant in these types of climax communities...

Hopefully you know that mosses are first then grasses then shrubs in ecological succession. Then come the trees...It makes sense that "sun-loving" trees are first because they are able to "reach" the sun above shrubs and grasses. But then, "shade-loving" trees come in and can grow under the sun-loving trees, making them the dominant species aka they are the final step in succession in these cases.

I think the term for those that grow on the sun-loving trees is epiphytes, mostly seen in a tropical forest where sun does not reach the ground floor...

 

[TarheelKid24]

I was thinking more along the lines of Beeches and Hemlocks...epiphytes DO grow on those trees in the rain forest but I think they grow more up on the canopy...