Frederic E. Clements

Frederic E. Clements was an influential American ecologist in the early 20th century, known for his work on plant communities and ecology. He proposed that ecological communities develop in a predictable, stage-like process called "succession," where ecosystems evolve towards a stable end state called a climax community. Clements emphasized the interdependence of species within these communities and believed that environmental factors shape their structure and composition. His ideas helped lay the groundwork for modern ecology, influencing how we understand ecosystems and their dynamics.