How to use the hill number diversity calculator
Convert the Shannon diversity of a community into the effective number of equally common species. Enter counts per species in the field above; the effective number of species (hill number order 1), shannon h′ from hill number are computed instantly and plotted on the chart so you can see how the answer changes.
Common searches this calculator answers include “Hill number”, “effective number of species”, “exponential Shannon diversity”, “calculate hill number diversity”, “find effective number of species”.
Formula
Variables
- n — Counts per species
Worked example
With counts per species = 10,20,5,15, the calculator gives effective number of species (hill number order 1) ≈ 3.596115; shannon h′ from hill number ≈ 1.279854 nats.
Frequently asked questions
What is the hill number diversity calculator used for?
Convert the Shannon diversity of a community into the effective number of equally common species. It helps with questions such as “Hill number”, “effective number of species”, “exponential Shannon diversity”.
What is the formula for the hill number diversity calculation?
Effective number of species (Hill number order 1) = exp(-sum(n.map(function(v){return v / sum(n) × ln(v / sum(n))}))). Shannon H′ from Hill number (nats) = ln([Effective number of species (Hill number order 1)]). Here n is counts per species.
What inputs do I need for the hill number diversity calculator?
You need counts per species. Each field is pre-filled with a typical example so you can see how the result responds as you edit the numbers.
How do I use the hill number diversity calculator?
Type values into the input fields. Results and the chart update instantly. Use Reset to restore the example values, Copy results to paste them elsewhere, or Share to copy a link that preserves your inputs.
Is the hill number diversity result exact?
Calculations use standard formulas and double-precision arithmetic, then display about seven significant figures. Real-world measurements carry uncertainty, so treat results as estimates unless your inputs are exact.