Estimating tree species diversity across geographic scales

Abstract

The relationship between number of species and area observed has been described using numerous approaches and has been discussed for more than a century. The general objectives of our study were fourfold: (1) to evaluate the behaviour of species-area curves across geographic scales, (2) to determine sample sizes necessary to produce acceptably precise estimates of tree species diversity, (3) to evaluate relationships among estimates of tree species diversity for local to large geographic scales, and (4) to determine whether the proportion of native tree species may be precisely estimated using sample sizes smaller than those necessary to estimate total tree species diversity. Such investigations are necessary to improve biodiversity monitoring at large scales.

Citation

Winter, Susanne; Böck, Andreas; McRoberts, Ronald E. 2012. Estimating tree species diversity across geographic scales. European Journal of Forest Research. 131(2): 441-451.