Species Diversity | Vibepedia

Species diversity refers to the number of different species represented in a given community, encompassing species richness, taxonomic or phylogenetic diversity, and species evenness. With over 8.7 million identified species on Earth, according to a 2019 study published in the journal PLOS Biology, and an estimated 30% of species at risk of extinction by 2050, as reported by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), understanding species diversity is crucial for conservation efforts. The effective number of species, which considers the mean proportional species abundance, is a key concept in ecology, as seen in the work of [[ecology|ecologists]] like [[edward-o-wilson|Edward O. Wilson]] and [[jane-lubchenco|Jane Lubchenco]]. Species diversity is often measured using indices such as the Shannon diversity index, developed by [[cl Claude-shannon|Claude Shannon]], and the Simpson diversity index, which provide insights into the complexity of ecosystems, as studied by researchers at institutions like the [[smithsonian-institution|Smithsonian Institution]] and the [[world-wildlife-fund|World Wildlife Fund]].