This manual was prepared during training events held in East- and West-Africa on the analysis of tree diversity data. These training events targeted data analysis of tree diversity data that were collected by scientists of the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and collaborating institutions. Typically, data were collected on the tree species composition of quadrats or farms. At the same time, explanatory variables such as land use and household characteristics were collected. Various hypotheses on the influence of explanatory variables on tree diversity can be tested with such datasets. Although the manual was developed during research on tree diversity on farms in Africa, the statistical methods can be used for a wider range of organisms, for different hierarchical levels of biodiversity, and for a wider range of environments.These materials were compiled as a second-generation development of the Biodiversity Analysis Package, a CD-ROM compiled by Roeland Kindt with resources and guidelines for the analysis of ecological and biodiversity information. Whereas the Biodiversity Analysis Package provided a range of tools for different types of analysis, this manual isaccompanied by a new tool (Biodiversity.R) that offers a single software environment for all the analyses that are described in this manual. This does not mean that Biodiversity.R is the only recommended package for a particular type of analysis, but it offers the advantage for training purposes that users only need to be introduced to one software package for statistically sound analysis of biodiversity data.
Publication year
2005
Authors
Language
English
Keywords
biodiversity, ecology, software development, statistical analysis
