Mathematical measures that combine richness and abundance to quantify diversity.
Shannon H = -Σ p ln p increases with richness and evenness; Simpson D = 1 - Σ p² gives the probability that two individuals are different species. Hill numbers unify them.
Indices differ in sensitivity to rare versus common species. Choose per question. Report with sample size.
Example: Shannon index of a monoculture is near zero.
Mathematical measures that combine richness and abundance to quantify diversity.
Simpson and Shannon Indices is one of the 52 topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Species Richness and Evenness, Latitudinal Diversity Gradient, Genetic Diversity.
If one species dominates, indices are low.
Work through the Beginner topics in Taxonomy & Biodiversity first, such as Taxonomy, Binomial Nomenclature, Taxonomic Hierarchy, then return to Simpson and Shannon Indices. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
The closest topics to Simpson and Shannon Indices are Species Richness and Evenness, Latitudinal Diversity Gradient, Genetic Diversity, Phylogenetic Diversity. 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 Simpson and Shannon Indices. To practise the whole of Taxonomy & Biodiversity, use the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz.
Simpson and Shannon Indices: Mathematical measures that combine richness and abundance to quantify diversity. Species Richness and Evenness: Richness counts species; evenness describes how equally individuals are distributed among them. 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 Species Richness and Evenness and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Taxonomy & Biodiversity quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.
Richness counts species; evenness describes how equally individuals are distributed among them.
🗂️ Taxonomy & BiodiversitySpecies richness generally increases from poles toward the tropics.
🗂️ Taxonomy & BiodiversityVariation of alleles within a species that enables adaptation and resilience.
🗂️ Taxonomy & BiodiversityMeasures biodiversity by the total evolutionary history represented by a set of species.
🗂️ Taxonomy & Biodiversity