Sensitivity studies on Hurlbert's indices of diversity [Shannon-Wiener index, causes of death]
1992
Izsak, J. (Teachers' College, Szombathely (Hungary). Dept. of Zoology)
Graphs relating to purpose-made partial derivatives make it possible to characterize sensitivity properties of diversity indices. This is unavoidable if one analyses the effects of systematic changes or sample fluctuations in case number proportions. On the other hand, informations on these properties make it possible to choose a suitable index for a concrete diversity investigation. A number of sensitivity characteristics are observable in the presented sensitivity graphs. Index response problems often emerge in concrete situations, when one has to interpret the diversity difference between two case number sets. Substituting the case numbers of the first set for those of the second one by a simple algorithm, it is possible to reduce the difference to departures of case number proportions in a narrow circle of categories. All discussed methods are realizable also for further diversity indices and for similarity indices.
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