Null Models

Abstract

The ultimate goal of this chapter is to understand when, where, and why null models should be used in the analysis of phylogenetic and functional diversity. The specific objectives of this chapter are to first discuss the philosophy behind null models, what they seek to accomplish, and how they work. Second is to establish why null models are necessary for most analyses of phylogenetic and functional diversity. Lastly, we will implement several classes of null models for phylogenetic and functional alpha and beta diversity.