A tool used to compute a diversity metric that considers both the number of species present and their relative abundance, allowing for a quantitative assessment of biodiversity within a sample or community. The calculation produces a value representing the heterogeneity of the population; for instance, when examining insect populations in a field, this tool helps determine if the population is dominated by a few species or if diversity is more evenly distributed.
The computation it provides offers a standardized method for comparing biodiversity across different ecosystems or monitoring changes within the same ecosystem over time. It is useful in ecological research, conservation efforts, and environmental impact assessments. The development of such diversity indices provided a more refined understanding of community structure than simply counting the number of species.
