Biodiversity in a Florida Sandhill Ecosystem

Authors

Samantha Robertson, University of South Florida

Publication Year

2009

Abstract

This project compares two transects of land in the University of South Florida's Botanical Gardens for their biodiversity. The transects were chosen to represent a Florida sandhill ecosystem and the individual Longleaf Pine, Saw Palmetto, Turkey Oak, Laurel Oak and Live Oak specimens were counted. All other species above waist height were counted as "other"?. Once the individuals were counted, the Simpson's and Shannon-Wiener indices were calculated. Since the Shannon-Wiener index incorporates several diversity characteristics, it is typically more reliable than Simpson's. However, both biodiversity indices agreed that transect B was more diverse than transect A.

Recommended Citation

Robertson, Samantha (2009) "Biodiversity in a Florida Sandhill Ecosystem," Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 6.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5038/2326-3652.2.1.6
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/ujmm/vol2/iss1/6

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