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Books > Computing & IT > Computer software packages > Spreadsheet software
Measuring the abundance of individuals and the diversity of species
are core components of most ecological research projects and
conservation monitoring. This book brings together in one place,
for the first time, the methods used to estimate the abundance of
individuals in nature. The statistical basis of each method is
detailed along with practical considerations for survey design and
data collection. Methods are illustrated using data ranging from
Alaskan shrubs to Yellowstone grizzly bears, not forgetting Costa
Rican ants and Prince Edward Island lobsters. Where necessary,
example code for use with the open source software R is supplied.
When appropriate, reference is made to other widely used programs.
After opening with a brief synopsis of relevant statistical
methods, the first section deals with the abundance of stationary
items such as trees, shrubs, coral, etc. Following a discussion of
the use of quadrats and transects in the contexts of forestry
sampling and the assessment of plant cover, there are chapters
addressing line-intercept sampling, the use of nearest-neighbour
distances, and variable sized plots. The second section deals with
individuals that move, such as birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, etc.
Approaches discussed include double-observer sampling, removal
sampling, capture-recapture methods and distance sampling. The
final section deals with the measurement of species richness;
species diversity; species-abundance distributions; and other
aspects of diversity such as evenness, similarity, turnover and
rarity. This is an essential reference for anyone involved in
advanced undergraduate or postgraduate ecological research and
teaching, or those planning and carrying out data analysis as part
of conservation survey and monitoring programmes.
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