Statistical Techniques in Ecology: Descriptive Statistics and Normal Distribution
B. K. Singh
Department of Mathematics, School of Sciences, IFTM University, Moradabad-244102, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Rajan Singh *
Department of Mathematics, School of Sciences, IFTM University, Moradabad-244102, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Anshul Dubey
Department of Mathematics, School of Sciences, IFTM University, Moradabad-244102, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Nidhi Tiwari
Department of Mathematics, School of Sciences, IFTM University, Moradabad-244102, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Nidhi Prabhakar
Department of Mathematics, School of Sciences, IFTM University, Moradabad-244102, Uttar Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Ecological science relies on robust estimates of the abundance, diversity, and spatial distribution of individuals and species, but these quantities are notoriously difficult to observe directly. Statistics may be considered as the science and technique of collecting, analysing, and making inferences from data, and these references are stated as probabilities. The study aims to explore and apply quantitative and statistical methods in ecology to understand the relationships between populations and their environment, assess the effects of environmental hazards on animal and plant populations, and evaluate overall ecological balance. Fundamental statistical concepts, including descriptive statistics, probability distribution, regression and correlations, and the chi-square distribution, are demonstrated to show their function in analysing ecological data. On the other hand, specialised methods, such as species-abundance relations and species-diversity measures, provide insights into community structure and ecosystem stability. The study recommends the use of logarithmic distributions to accurately fit species-abundance data and enhance the reliability of ecological analyses.
Keywords: Environment, biomass of a population, species-abundance relations, mean and variance, standard deviation, histogram