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A tribute to Claude Shannon (1916–2001) and a plea for more rigorous use of species richness, species diversity and the ‘Shannon–Wiener’ Index

2003/04/11 by Ian F. Spellerberg, Peter Fedor · 1 citation
Environmental Science · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies #Plant and animal studies #Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior

paper · pdf · doi:10.1046/j.1466-822x.2003.00015.x

openalex publication_date 2003/04/11 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04

Abstract

ABSTRACT In the literature, the terms species richness and species diversity are sometimes used interchangeably. We suggest that at the very least, authors should define what they mean by either term. Of the many species diversity indices used in the literature, the Shannon Index is perhaps most commonly used. On some occasions it is called the Shannon–Wiener Index and on other occasions it is called the Shannon–Weaver Index. We suggest an explanation for this dual use of terms and in so doing we offer a tribute to the late Claude Shannon (who passed away on 24 February 2001).

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