NDLI: Functional diversity through the mean trait dissimilarity: resolving shortcomings with existing paradigms and algorithms

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Bello, Francesco Carmona, Carlos P. Lepš, Jan Szava Kovats, Robert Pärtel, Meelis
Copyright Year	2016
Abstract	While an increasing number of indices for estimating the functional trait diversity of biological communities are being proposed, there is a growing demand by ecologists to clarify their actual implications and simplify index selection. Several key indices relate to mean trait dissimilarity between species within biological communities. Among them, the most widely used include (a) the mean species pairwise dissimilarity (MPD) and (b) the Rao quadratic entropy (and related indices). These indices are often regarded as redundant and promote the unsubstantiated yet widely held view that Rao is a form of MPD. Worryingly, existing R functions also do not always simplify the use and differentiation of these indices. In this paper, we show various distinctions between these two indices that warrant mathematical and biological consideration. We start by showing an existing form of MPD that considers species abundances and is different from Rao both mathematically and conceptually. We then show that the mathematical relationship between MPD and Rao can be presented simply as Rao = MPD × Simpson, where the Simpson diversity index is defined as 1 − dominance. We further show that this relationship is maintained for both species abundances and presence/absence. This evidence dismantles the paradigm that the Rao diversity is an abundance-weighted form of MPD and indicates that both indices can differ substantially at low species diversities. We discuss the different interpretations of trait diversity patterns in biological communities provided by Rao and MPD and then provide a simple R function, called “melodic,” which avoids the unintended results that arise from existing mainstream functions.
Starting Page	933
Ending Page	940
Page Count	8
File Format	PDF
ISSN	00298549
Journal	Oecologia
Volume Number	180
Issue Number	4
e-ISSN	14321939
Language	English
Publisher	Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Publisher Date	2016-01-21
Publisher Place	Berlin, Heidelberg
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Assembly rules Biodiversity indices Community Phylogenetic diversity Trait variance Ecology Plant Sciences Hydrology/Water Resources
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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