Hi everyone, i really find this forum helpful as i am just finishing my first year (foundation science) in order to go on and do an Environmental health degree. i didnt exactly do well in my science GCSE 7 years ago.
so my question for now is, im doing an assignment on biodiversity (which is due in very soon...my bad for not asking earlier), we went to some woods, from a 30x30m plot of woodland, we noted down all of the species and how many there were of each species. i have calculated the shannon weaver diversity index of every groups results, the groups who were in the woods with less species and less trees in general have a higher diversity number....does that make it more diverse?
one group had 6 species in their plot...and 45 trees in total...their shannon weaver result was: 0.971
another group from another wood had 5 species and only 23 trees in total and their result was: 1.422.
i dont understand why its a higher number....i have a feeling i have missed something very obvious but i just cant figure out why the number is higher in the wood with less trees and less species??
i hope someone can help???
cheers guys
Alice