A model of botanical collectors' behavior in the field: never the same species twice.

摘要: PREMISE OF THE STUDY Because of their numbers, specimens in natural-history museums cannot be ignored when trying to answer one the fundamental questions science: What determines species diversity? The nonrandom nature collecting does not allow most statistical tests or extrapolations estimates, comparison richness between areas (which, however, is still done frequently). METHODS We present a simple simulation model, which starts from assumption that collectors never collect same twice during trips. model allows generation abundance distribution herbarium for any natural distribution, using set strategies. KEY RESULTS show that, essence, strategy "never twice" enough generate relative as found herbarium. illustrate this real plot and specimen data two well-collected areas, central Guyana Suriname. CONCLUSIONS oversampling rare species, it perhaps possible use museum reconstruct community structure field even estimate proper diversity number other than region.