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Biodiversity and deadwood indices

Structural and species diversity indices (Shannon, Simpson, Margalef, Pielou) alongside standing and downed coarse woody debris indicators for ecological assessment.

Plot-level variables

  • Shannon_index (SHANNON) — decimal  •  dimensionless  •  output: Shannon

    Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index (H). This positive index typically ranges from 0.5 to 5 in natural ecosystems, with most values between 2 and 3. Values below 2 are low in diversity, while values above 3 indicate high species diversity..

    Reference: Omoro et al. (2010). Tree biomass and soil carbon stocks in Taita Hills, Kenya. African Journal of Ecology.

  • Simpson_index (SIMPSON) — decimal  •  dimensionless  •  output: Simpson

    Modified Simpson Diversity Index. This index ranges from 0 to 1, where higher values indicate greater diversity, representing the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different species.

    Reference: Simpson (1949). Measurement of Diversity. Nature.

  • Margalef_index (MARGALEF) — decimal  •  dimensionless  •  output: Margalef

    Margalef Species Diversity Index. Values below 2 usually indicate low biodiversity (human-impacted ecosystems), while values above 5 suggest high biodiversity.

    Reference: Ulanowicz (2001). Information theory in ecology. Computers & Chemistry.

  • Pielou_index (PIELOU) — decimal  •  dimensionless  •  output: Pielou

    Pielou Evenness Index. It measures the proportion of observed diversity relative to the maximum possible diversity, ranging from 0 to 1, with 1 indicating equal abundance of all species and 0 indicating no uniformity.

    Reference: Bray & Curtis (1957). An Ordination of the Upland Forest Communities of Southern Wisconsin. Ecological Monographs.

  • DBI_G (DEADWOOD_INDEX_CESEFOR_G) — decimal  •  dimensionless  •  output: DBI_G

    Deadwood Biodiversity Index developed by CESEFOR, assessing deadwood quantity in stands with a quadratic mean diameter (dg) ≥ 17.5 cm. If the deadwood basal area exceeds 6% of trees with a dbh of 17.5 cm or larger, the deadwood status is classified as positive (1); otherwise, it is insufficient (0). Not applied to stands with a dg < 17.5 cm (-).

  • DBI_V (DEADWOOD_INDEX_CESEFOR_V) — decimal  •  dimensionless  •  output: DBI_V

    Deadwood index calculated on volume (CESEFOR methodology).

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