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Definition of plagioclimax

plagioclimax

/ˌpleɪdʒioʊˈklaɪmæks/
pla · gi · o · cli · max
Plural:plagioclimaxes
•
Adjective:plagioclimactic
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plagioclimax Lexical Profile

plagioclimax Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A stable ecological plant community that is maintained by continuous human intervention, such as controlled burning, mowing, or livestock grazing, which prevents it from developing into its natural climax community.

Example

"The vast heather moorlands of the British Isles are a classic example of a plagioclimax, relying on managed burning and sheep grazing to prevent the growth of native forests."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for plagioclimax

• Nearby Words

placemat
placoderm
plagianthus
plagioclimax
plaice
plain-bellied water snake
plains garter snake

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined by British ecologist Arthur Tansley in 1935, derived from the Greek 'plagios' (oblique, slanting) and 'klimax' (ladder, culmination), denoting an ecological succession that has been diverted from its natural path.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Plagioclimax. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 18, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/plagioclimax
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