Functional diversity is generally regarded as the constituent of biological diversity that considers how the species functional traits affect ecosystem processes. Due to its ecological relevance, a number of indices of functional diversity have been proposed to date based on distinct objectives and motivations. Such proliferation of indices can be at least partially overcome by a more fundamental mathematical approach. In this paper we propose an intrinsic ordering approach for abundance-weighted measures of functional diversity that is similar to the Lorenz curves used by ecologists for ordering evenness measures. We then discuss the relevance of a number of functional diversity indices that have a behavior compatible with the proposed partial ordering.
A partial ordering approach for functional diversity / Ricotta, Carlo; Laszlo, Szeidl; Marco, Moretti; Blasi, Carlo. - In: THEORETICAL POPULATION BIOLOGY. - ISSN 0040-5809. - STAMPA. - 80:2(2011), pp. 114-120. [10.1016/j.tpb.2011.03.007]
A partial ordering approach for functional diversity
RICOTTA, Carlo;BLASI, Carlo
2011
Abstract
Functional diversity is generally regarded as the constituent of biological diversity that considers how the species functional traits affect ecosystem processes. Due to its ecological relevance, a number of indices of functional diversity have been proposed to date based on distinct objectives and motivations. Such proliferation of indices can be at least partially overcome by a more fundamental mathematical approach. In this paper we propose an intrinsic ordering approach for abundance-weighted measures of functional diversity that is similar to the Lorenz curves used by ecologists for ordering evenness measures. We then discuss the relevance of a number of functional diversity indices that have a behavior compatible with the proposed partial ordering.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.