Components of diversity

Abstract

The information theory measure H′=−∑[p _i log p _i ] is partitioned into components to allow evaluation of various contributions to total divesity. If, a species collection is sampled at several microhabitats within each of several sites, we may ask whether the niche breadth of a particular species, and the diversity of the entire collection, are greater with respect to microhabitats or sites. The usefulness of these measures is discussed in the context of within-habitat and between-habitat contribution, to diversity.