An ecosystem which experiences a turnover of species, but with an overall steady state. This steady-state ecosystem is characterized by a complex, highly integrated community structure with high species diversity, but relatively low individual population densities not subject to serious fluctuation, and can be seen as the final stage of a succession. An example is a mature oak woodland. ‘Equilibrium or climax communities are rarely affected by intense natural disturbances and are characterised by a predominance of larger, long-lived and often deepburrowing species. Such species can physically modify their surroundings’ (Kröger et al. (2006) Estuarine, Coastal & Shelf Sci. 67). See Ren et al. (2007) Acta Ecologica Sinica 27, 9 on the natural restoration of a degraded rangeland.