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The species–area relationship does not have an asymptote!
Author(s) -
Williamson Mark,
Gaston Kevin J.,
Lonsdale W. M.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of biogeography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 158
eISSN - 1365-2699
pISSN - 0305-0270
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2699.2001.00603.x
Subject(s) - asymptote , scale (ratio) , simple (philosophy) , geography , ecology , mathematics , biology , geometry , cartography , philosophy , epistemology
Aim To attack a widespread myth. Location World‐wide. Methods Simple mathematical logical and empirical examples. Results As both species and area are finite and non‐negative, the species–area relationship is limited at both ends. The log species–log area relationship is normally effectively linear on scales from about 1 ha to 10 7 km 2 . There are no asymptotes. At the intercontinental scale it may get steeper; at small scales it may in different cases get steeper or shallower or maintain its slope. Main conclusion The species–area relationship does not have an asymptote.