Fuzzy Index and Self-Organizing Feature Map Index for Measuring Functional Diversity Applied to Acanthopanax Senticosus Communities

摘要

Methods for measuring functional diversity are the basis of community studies. Two newly functional diversity indices, fuzzy index and SOFM index, were applied and tested in functional diversity analysis in Acanthopanax senticosus communities in the Dongling Mountains in China. Thirty quadrats were established in Acanthopanax senticosus communities and species composition, traits and environmental variables were measured and recorded. Eleven functional traits were used in the calculation of functional diversity. The results showed that fuzzy index and SOFM index were effective methods in functional diversity studies. Fuzzy index and SOFM index provided similar results to that of other common methods. Functional diversity in Acanthopanax senticosus communities varied obviously; functional diversity was significantly correlated with slope and elevation; functional diversity was positively correlated with species richness, heterogeneity, and negatively correlated with evenness.