Abstract
A computer simulation was developed which estimates the effects of differential preservation on the value of taxonomic diversity in fossil assemblages. Taxonomic diversity was measured with the Shannon-Weaver index, H′ and with evenness, J. Preservation markedly alters quantitative measurements of taxonomic diversity. The degree of alteration can, however, be predicted on the basis of the species-abundance distribution and on the distributions of species of varying preservability. The indices of diversity H′ and J measure different aspects of diversity, but respond to differential preservation in a similar manner. Evenness, J, is recommended for paleoecologic use. The computer model can be used to revise fossil diversity data. A simple form of such a model has been used, and suggests that some previous interpretations of paleoecologic diversity may be in error.
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Subject
Paleontology,General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,Ecology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
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