Issues in the Measurement of Biological Diversity Issues in the Measurement of Biological Diversity

There are many national and international efforts to conserve biological diversity. However, since conservation resources are scarce, they must be used as effectively as possible. This Article examines recent developments in the definition and measurement of biological diversity. The authors explore the advantages and disadvantages of various measures of biological diversity, and the sensitivity of the optimal allocation of conservation resources to alternative measures. This Article demonstrates the importance of the choice of a biological diversity measure while simultaneously indicating that this choice is only one part of the ultimate goal of conservation.