Measures biodiversity by the total evolutionary history represented by a set of species.
Faith's PD sums branch lengths connecting species. Conservation based on PD prioritises unique lineages; EDGE scores combine evolutionary distinctiveness and global endangerment.
PD captures the unique evolutionary history. Conservation could maximise PD for a given budget.
Key idea: not all species are equally unique evolutionarily.
Measures biodiversity by the total evolutionary history represented by a set of species.
Phylogenetic Diversity is one of the 52 topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Evolutionarily Distinct Species, Conservation Biology, Ex-situ Conservation.
Protecting the aye-aye saves a lineage with no close relatives.
Work through the Beginner topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity first, such as Taxonomy, Binomial Nomenclature, Taxonomic Hierarchy, then return to Phylogenetic Diversity. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
The closest topics to Phylogenetic Diversity are Evolutionarily Distinct Species, Conservation Biology, Ex-situ Conservation, Simpson and Shannon Indices. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Phylogenetic Diversity. To practise the whole of Taxonomy & Biodiversity, use the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz.
Phylogenetic Diversity: Measures biodiversity by the total evolutionary history represented by a set of species. Evolutionarily Distinct Species: Species with few close relatives, such as the tuatara, representing unique branches of evolutionary history. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Evolutionarily Distinct Species and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Species with few close relatives, such as the tuatara, representing unique branches of evolutionary history.
🗂️ Taxonomy & BiodiversityThe scientific study and protection of biodiversity.
🗂️ Taxonomy & BiodiversityProtecting species outside natural habitat in zoos, seed banks and botanical gardens.
🗂️ Taxonomy & BiodiversityMathematical measures that combine richness and abundance to quantify diversity.
🗂️ Taxonomy & Biodiversity