1. What is the Simpson Biodiversity Index?

The Simpson Biodiversity Index (D) measures diversity that takes into account both species richness and evenness. It represents the probability that two randomly selected individuals from a sample will belong to different species.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Simpson Index equation:

Where:

• \( D \) — Simpson Diversity Index (ranges from 0 to 1)
• \( p_i \) — Proportion of individuals belonging to species i
• \( S \) — Total number of species

Explanation: The index approaches 1 when diversity is high (many species with even distribution) and approaches 0 when diversity is low (few species or one dominant species).

3. Importance of Biodiversity Measurement

Details: The Simpson Index is widely used in Australian ecological studies to assess habitat quality, monitor conservation efforts, and compare biodiversity across different regions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter counts of individuals for each species, separated by commas. For example: "5,10,15,20" for four species with those counts.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does a high Simpson Index value mean?
A: Values closer to 1 indicate higher diversity (many species with even distribution).

Q2: How does this differ from the Shannon Index?
A: The Simpson Index is more sensitive to dominant species, while Shannon Index is more sensitive to rare species.

Q3: What are typical values for Australian ecosystems?
A: Rainforests might have values >0.8, while deserts might be around 0.3-0.6, depending on sampling.

Q4: Can I use this for marine ecosystems?
A: Yes, the Simpson Index is applicable to all ecosystem types including marine environments.

Q5: How many species should I include?
A: Include all species in your sample for accurate results. The index works with any number of species.