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Functional richness, functional evenness and functional divergence: the primary components of functional diversity
Author(s) -
Mason Norman W. H.,
Mouillot David,
Lee William G.,
Wilson J. Bastow
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
oikos
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.672
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1600-0706
pISSN - 0030-1299
DOI - 10.1111/j.0030-1299.2005.13886.x
Subject(s) - species evenness , species richness , functional diversity , functional divergence , ecology , diversity (politics) , divergence (linguistics) , gamma diversity , biology , ecosystem , functional approach , evolutionary biology , alpha diversity , computer science , sociology , gene family , biochemistry , gene expression , linguistics , philosophy , gene , anthropology , human–computer interaction
Functional diversity is hypothesised as being beneficial for ecosystem functions, such as productivity and resistance to invasion. However, a precise definition of functional diversity, and hence a framework for its quantification, have proved elusive. We present a definition based on the analogy of the components of species diversity – richness, evenness and divergence. These concepts are applied to functional characters to give three components of functional diversity – functional richness, functional evenness and functional divergence. We demonstrate how each of these components may be calculated. It is hoped that our definition of functional diversity and its components will aid in elucidation of the mechanisms behind diversity/ecosystem‐function relationships.