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Biodiversity and Conservation
Published in: Biodiversity and Conservation 12/2017

12-07-2017 | Commentary

Measuring biodiversity in the Anthropocene: a simple guide to helpful methods

Authors: Claudia E. Moreno, Jaime M. Calderón-Patrón, Víctor Arroyo-Rodríguez, Felipe Barragán, Federico Escobar, Yuriana Gómez-Ortiz, Natalia Martín-Regalado, Ana P. Martínez-Falcón, Miguel Ángel Martínez-Morales, Eduardo Mendoza, Ilse J. Ortega-Martínez, Cisteil X. Pérez-Hernández, Eduardo Pineda, Rubén Pineda-López, C. Lucero Rios-Díaz, Pilar Rodríguez, Fernando Rosas, Jorge E. Schondube, Iriana Zuria

Published in: Biodiversity and Conservation | Issue 12/2017

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Abstract

Quantifying biodiversity patterns in the context of human-caused environmental degradation is a fundamental task to improve conservation strategies; yet, it can be difficult given the rapid increase of available analytical methods. To guide studies on the topic, in this brief essay we present four approaches, accompanied by empirical examples, that can be used to accurately assess the impact of human activities on different facets of biological diversity. Such approaches include: (1) measurement of alpha diversity by incorporating interpolation-extrapolation techniques, Hill numbers and rank-abundance graphs; (2) beta diversity and its components of turnover and richness differences due to nestedness; (3) functional diversity, and (4) phylogenetic diversity. We highlight that a critical assessment, understanding and appropriate application of these and other emerging concepts and methods to assess biodiversity is needed to support both theoretical and applied studies, especially in biological conservation.
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Metadata
Title
Measuring biodiversity in the Anthropocene: a simple guide to helpful methods
Authors
Claudia E. Moreno
Jaime M. Calderón-Patrón
Víctor Arroyo-Rodríguez
Felipe Barragán
Federico Escobar
Yuriana Gómez-Ortiz
Natalia Martín-Regalado
Ana P. Martínez-Falcón
Miguel Ángel Martínez-Morales
Eduardo Mendoza
Ilse J. Ortega-Martínez
Cisteil X. Pérez-Hernández
Eduardo Pineda
Rubén Pineda-López
C. Lucero Rios-Díaz
Pilar Rodríguez
Fernando Rosas
Jorge E. Schondube
Iriana Zuria
Publication date
12-07-2017
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
Biodiversity and Conservation / Issue 12/2017
Print ISSN: 0960-3115
Electronic ISSN: 1572-9710
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-017-1401-1

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