16 Indicators
Calculate indicators of ecological or management interest beyond taxonomic groupings
16.1 Diversity
Here are the classic diversity indices from the R package vegan:
\[ \begin{aligned} H &= - \sum_{i=1}^S p_i \log_b p_i &\text{Shannon-Weaver} \\ D_1 &= 1 - \sum_{i=1}^S p_i^2 &\text{Simpson} \\ D_2 &= \frac{1}{\sum_{i=1}^S p_i^2} &\text{inverse Simpson} \end{aligned} \]
where \(p_i\) is the proportion of species \(i\), and \(S\) is the number of species so that \(\sum_{i=1}^S p_i = 1\), and \(b\) is the base of the logarithm.
16.2 Endemism
Endemism could be measured as a function of the presence or average of the species range, given by either a global SDM converted to a binary range or using the existing IUCN range maps.
16.3 Extinction Risk
This is provided by IUCN RedList, as well as sometimes at a national level, such as NatureServe’s Conservation Status Ranks for the U.S.
16.4 Functional Importance
16.5 Habitat Forming
Habitat forming species, such as coral, mangrove, seagrasses and kelp are especially important for biodiversity and ecosystem services.
16.6 Phylogenetic Uniqueness
16.7 Richness
16.8 Sensitivity
Sensitivity to specific human activities, such as shipping or fishing. Some activities may have different stages of development, such as construction versus operation of offshore wind energy.