Statistical methods for estimating species richness of woody regeneration in primary and secondary rain forests of northeastern Costa Rica

摘要: The study of plant communities requires a basic understanding the abundance, distribution, and number species present. Yet, in obtaining this information, scientists can rarely sample entire community or area interest. In practice, data from numerous small sub-samples provide basis for extrapolating to larger area, Such must take into account well-supported observation that estimates local richness depend strongly on individuals sampled (Gleason, 1922; Preston, 1948). Although researchers rely heavily extrapolations many kinds ecological studies, relatively little attention has been focused improving accuracy, applicability, accessibility species-richness estimators vegetation particularly higly diverse tropical ecosystems. If robuts accurate statistical are reasonably insensitive size be found, they serve quantitative identifying conservation priorities, comparative biogeographic regional assessing long-term changes richness. Bunge Fitzpatrick (1993) Colwell Coddington (1994) provided broad overview approaches estimating form samples. Here, we evaluated performance several these methods young woody regeneration six forest sites. We compared various estimation techniques within individual sites as well across range differing successional status abundance spatial distribution. specifically two classes wood regeneration: 1) established seedlings 1m height, but