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The species–area relationship does not have an asymptote!

2001; Wiley; Volume: 28; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1046/j.1365-2699.2001.00603.x

1365-2699

Mark Williamson, Kevin J. Gaston, Mark Lonsdale,

Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Aim To attack a widespread myth. Location World‐wide. Methods Simple mathematical logical and empirical examples. Results As both species and area are finite and non‐negative, the species–area relationship is limited at both ends. The log species–log area relationship is normally effectively linear on scales from about 1 ha to 10 7 km 2 . There are no asymptotes. At the intercontinental scale it may get steeper; at small scales it may in different cases get steeper or shallower or maintain its slope. Main conclusion The species–area relationship does not have an asymptote.