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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Ref ID : 1482

J. Green; Diversity and dominance in planktonic rotifers. Hydrobiologia 255/256:345-352, 1993

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The diversity of planktonic species in a body of water can be estimated in two ways: momentary diversity and long term diversity. The former represents the number capable of coexisting at any one time, and the latter includes a seasonal or other temporal component. The relationship between the two varies mainly with salinity. Dominance is generally inversely related to diversity. In considering the total possible range of dominance for a given number of species the mean values are surprisingly restricted. An abnormally high dominance for a number of species can be an indication of pollution or some other form of environmental stress.