Species diversity is a multidimensional ecological concept describing the variability of species within a community, typically quantified through measures that integrate both species richness (the number of species) and evenness (the relative abundances of those species). It underpins community structure, ecosystem functioning, and resilience by influencing processes such as resource use, trophic interactions, and stability against perturbations. Species diversity is often assessed using alpha diversity (within-community), beta diversity (turnover among communities), and gamma diversity (regional diversity), and is commonly measured with indices such as Shannon, Simpson, or Hill numbers, each emphasizing different aspects of richness and evenness.
Scientists at the Biodiversity Unit of the University of Turku, Finland, looked at the insect biodiversity of Kibale National Park in Uganda. The study, published in the journal Insect Conservation and Diversity, is based ...
Plants & Animals
Sep 10, 2025
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Researchers led by Prof. Liu Xiaojuan from the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have analyzed data from 8,800 trees across 80 species in nine biodiversity experiments from the Tree Diversity Network ...
Ecology
Sep 3, 2025
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Herbaria, or "museums for plants," house millions of samples collected over centuries. Stanford biologist Barnabas Daru shares how modern technology can unlock this treasure trove, providing scientists with vital insights ...
Plants & Animals
Aug 28, 2025
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A team of researchers from the Institute of Applied Ecology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a new method to quantify the three-dimensional complexity of mountainous terrain. The novel tool, called the terrain ...
Ecology
Aug 21, 2025
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A first database has been compiled of the frog and freshwater fish species on hundreds of Australian islands.
Plants & Animals
Aug 14, 2025
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A collaborative study led by the University of Helsinki shows that, in addition to climate, the diversity of moth communities is heavily influenced by land use changes. According to the study, habitat characteristics—which ...
Plants & Animals
Aug 7, 2025
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Most trees in the Amazon (90%), the Atlantic Forest (90%), or the Cerrado, the Brazilian savanna-like biome (60%), depend on animals to disperse their seeds, ensure their reproduction, and keep the forest standing. Birds, ...
Plants & Animals
Aug 6, 2025
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Conservation should focus on protecting natural "processes"—not just specific species, researchers say. Current policies often focus on flagship animals, with priority given to rare and well-known species like pandas and ...
Plants & Animals
Aug 6, 2025
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Biodiversity is important in every ecosystem. Research has shown having a richer diversity of plant and animal species bolsters ecosystem functioning and stability, making habitats more resilient to the threats of things ...
Ecology
Aug 4, 2025
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Dikes are indispensable for bees, especially if they are home to many different plant and flower species. A large census conducted on 157 dikes along rivers in the Netherlands revealed that more and rarer bee species live ...
Plants & Animals
Jul 30, 2025
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