Indicate site productivity. Play a major function in forest regeneration and function. Provide a resiliency factor to ecosystems following disturbance. Diversity measurements usually take place at a local level and are restricted to certain groups of species. Local site factors of microclimate, landform, soil, and species interactions determine the pattern of richness and evenness observed.
Diversity is measured by both richness and evenness.
Measurements of diversity combine these two measures to provide an index of overall diversity. Simpson index 3. Coefficient of community - 5. Continental drift - species became isolated and differentiation occurred due to differences in landform, colonization, and natural selection pressures. Landscape heterogeneity - heterogeneous landscapes have higher diversity.