Effects of differential preservation on the measurement of taxonomic diversity

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Abstract
A computer simulation was developed which estimates the effects of differential preservation on the value of taxonomic diversity in fossil assemblages. Taxonomic diversity was measured with the Shannon-Weaver index, H′ and with evenness, J. Preservation markedly alters quantitative measurements of taxonomic diversity. The degree of alteration can, however, be predicted on the basis of the species-abundance distribution and on the distributions of species of varying preservability. The indices of diversity H′ and J measure different aspects of diversity, but respond to differential preservation in a similar manner. Evenness, J, is recommended for paleoecologic use. The computer model can be used to revise fossil diversity data. A simple form of such a model has been used, and suggests that some previous interpretations of paleoecologic diversity may be in error.