Multiple site dissimilarity quantifies compositional heterogeneity among several sites, while average pairwise dissimilarity may be misleading

摘要: Several measures of multiple site dissimilarity have been proposed to quantify the overall heterogeneity in assemblage composition among any number sites. It is also a common practice such by averaging pairwise dissimilarities between all pairs sites pool. However, do not account for patterns co-occurrence more than two In consequence, average may accurately reflect compositional within pool Here I use several idealized examples illustrate why fail properly heterogeneity. Thereafter, effect this potential problem empirical exemplified with data world amphibians. conclusion, when attribute interest (i.e. beta diversity) or its turnover nestedness components, only are recommended.