Which of the following environmental factors is most likely to influence the type of climax community that develops in an ecosystem?

• A. Climate, such as temperature and precipitation patterns
• B. The color of the soil
• C. The presence of a single invasive insect species
• D. The genetic makeup of a single individual organism

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of a climax community: A climax community is the final, stable stage of ecological succession in an ecosystem, where the composition of species remains relatively unchanged unless disrupted by external factors.
2. Identify the key environmental factors that influence the development of a climax community. These factors typically include climate (temperature and precipitation), soil conditions, and interactions among organisms.
3. Evaluate the options provided in the question. Climate, such as temperature and precipitation patterns, is a broad and fundamental factor that directly affects the types of plants and animals that can thrive in an ecosystem, making it the most likely determinant of the climax community.
4. Consider why the other options are less likely to influence the climax community. For example, the color of the soil is not directly related to ecological succession, the presence of a single invasive insect species may cause temporary disruption but not determine the long-term climax community, and the genetic makeup of a single individual organism is too narrow to affect the entire ecosystem's stable state.
5. Conclude that climate, including temperature and precipitation patterns, is the most significant environmental factor influencing the type of climax community that develops in an ecosystem.