The services of ecological systems and the natural capital stocks that produce them are critical to the functioning of the Earth's life-support system. They contribute to human welfare, both directly and indirectly, and therefore represent part of the total economic value of the planet. We have estimated the current economic value of 17 ecosystem services for 16 biomes, based on published studies and a few original calculations. For the entire biosphere, the value (most of which is outside the market) is estimated to be in the range of US$16-54 trillion (10^(12)) per year, with an average of US$33 trillion per year. Because of the nature of the uncertainties, this must be considered a minimum estimate. Global gross national product total is around US$18 trillion per year.

https://www.esd.ornl.gov/benefits_conference/nature_paper.pdf

The value of the world's ecosystem services and natural capital

Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols Used xiii 1. The Importance of Islands 3 2. Area and Number of Speicies 8 3. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern 19 4. The Strategy of Colonization 68 5. Invasibility and the Variable Niche 94 6. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange 123 7. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization 145 8. Prospect 181 Glossary 185 References 193 Index 201

The Theory of Island Biogeography

Definitions of diversity. Measuring species diversity. Choosing an index and interpreting diversity measures. Sampling problems. Structural diversity. Applications of diversity measures. Summary.

/pdf/ecological-diversity-and-its-measurement-4az8bcrmxt.pdf

Ecological Diversity and its Measurement

INTRODUCTION A renewed interest in objeetive and quantitative approaehes to the elassifieation of plant communities has led, within the past decade, to an extensive exalllination of systematic theory and technique. This examination, ineluding the work of Sorenson (1948), Motyka et al. (1950), Curtis & McIntosh (1951), Brown & Curtis (1952), Ramensky (1952), Whittaker (1954, 1956), Goodall (1953a, 1954b)? deVries (1953), Guinoehet (1954, 1955), Webb (1954), Eughes (1954) and Poore (1956) has acconlpanied theoretie studies in taxonomy [Fisher (1936), Womble (1951), Clifford & Binet (1954), Gregg (1954)] and in statisties (Isaaeson 1954). It is a Gonclusion of many of these studies that nature of unit variation is a naajor problenl in systematies, and that whether this variation is diserete, continuous, or in some other form, there is a need for appliGation of (uantitative and statistical methods. In eeologic elassifieation, an inereased use of ordinate systellls, sr hiGh has been stimulated by the developnlent of more effieient sampling teehniques and the collection of stand data on a large seale, has prompted the proposal of the term \"ordination\" ( Goodall 1953b ) . Goodall (1954a) has defined ordination as \"an arrangenlent of units in a unior multi-dinlensional order\" as synonylllous with \"Ordnung,\" (Ramensky

An Ordination of the Upland Forest Communities of Southern Wisconsin

The commonly observed high diversity of trees in tropical rain forests and corals on tropical reefs is a nonequilibrium state which, if not disturbed further, will progress toward a low-diversity equilibrium community. This may not happen if gradual changes in climate favor different species. If equilibrium is reached, a lesser degree of diversity may be sustained by niche diversification or by a compensatory mortality that favors inferior competitors. However, tropical forests and reefs are subject to severe disturbances often enough that equilibrium may never be attained.

https://www.colby.edu/biology/BI358j/Readings/Diversity%20in%20rainforests%20and%20coral%20reefs.pdf

Diversity in tropical rain forests and coral reefs.

Evolution and measurement of species diversity

II. PROCEDURE .................................. 285 Study Areas ................................. 285 Vegetation Samples and Soil Data ..... ..... 286 Arrangement of Samples in Transects .... . 286 Evaluation of Transect Techniques . ..... . 288 Transect Tables ................... ....... 289 III. VEGETATION DESCRIPTION ...... ............. 291 Low Elevations on Diorite . ... ......... .. 291 Low Elevations on Gabbro ..... ........ 297 Low Elevations on Serpentine and the Two-Phase Ef fect .......... .............. . 299 Forest Vegetation of Higher Elevations on Diorite ......................... ....... 302 Vegetation of Higher Elevations on Serpentine . . 305

Robert H. Whittaker

Papers

Evolution and measurement of species diversity

Vegetation of the Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon and California

Vegetation of the Great Smoky Mountains

Gradient analysis of vegetation

Allelochemics: Chemical Interactions between Species