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- Title
When species accumulation curves intersect: implications for rankingdiversity using small samples
- Authors
Lande, Russell; Walla, Thomas R.; DeVries, Philip J.
- Abstract
Diversity in biological communities frequently is compared using species accumulation curves, plotting observed species richness versus sample size. When species accumulation curves intersect, the ranking of communities by observed species richness depends on sample size, creating inconsistency in comparisons of diversity. We show that species accumulation curves for two communities are expected to intersect when the community with lower actual species richness has higher Simpson diversity (probability that two random individuals belong to different species). This may often occur when comparing communities that differ in habitat heterogeneity or disturbance, as we illustrate usingdata from neotropical butterflies. In contrast to observed species richness, estimated Simpson diversity always produces a consistent expected ranking among communities across sample sizes, with the statistical accuracy to confidently rank communities using small samples. Simpson diversity should therefore be particularly useful in rapid assessments to prioritize areas for conservation.
- Subjects
CONSERVATION of natural resources; DIVERSITY in the workplace; ECOLOGY; MATHEMATICAL analysis; SPECIES diversity
- Publication
Oikos, 2000, Vol 89, Issue 3, p601
- ISSN
0030-1299
- Publication type
Article