Functional diversity and its assessment in insect synecologystudies using the R statistical environment

Authors

  • Gennadi G. Sushko Vitebsk State University named after P. M. Masherov
  • Anastasia S. Tkachenok Vitebsk State University named after P. M. Masherov
  • Inna A. Litvenkova Vitebsk State University named after P. M. Masherov

Keywords:

community ecology, functional diversity, species traits, functional diversity indices, RLQ, R statistical environment
Supporting Agencies
The research was carried out with the support of the state scientific research program «Rational Use of Natural Resources», subprogram 8.2. «Biodiversity and Bioresources» for 2026–2030. No. GR 20260389,2026March 27

Abstract

Species diversity, although currently a widely used indicator of biodiversity, does not always reflect the overall state and functioning of ecosystems. Analysis of the functional diversity of communities based on species traits is increasingly used to establish relationships between the functions of organisms at the ecosystem level and to identify mechanisms of biotic responses to environmental change. Measuring functional diversity is a complex task, as most methods for calculating it are based on the R statistical environment, which requires programming skills. Using results of studies of ground beetle assemblages in several types of pine forests, we demonstrate the steps for assessing functional diversity in the R statistical environment. Programming code accessible to novice researchers is provided. A protocol for assessing functional diversity is discussed in detail. This protocol includes calculating community-weighted means (CWM) for species traits, calculating functional diversity indices (functional richness (FRic), evenness (FEve), divergence (FDiv), and Rao’s Q), as well as performing multivariate RLQ and fourth-corner analyses. The use of relevant packages, including FD and ade4, is justified.

Author Biographies

  • Gennadi G. Sushko, Vitebsk State University named after P. M. Masherov

    doctor of science (biology), full professor; head of the department of ecology and geography

  • Anastasia S. Tkachenok, Vitebsk State University named after P. M. Masherov

    student, faculty of chemical, biological and geographical sciences

  • Inna A. Litvenkova, Vitebsk State University named after P. M. Masherov

    PhD (biology), docent; associate professor at the department of ecology and geography

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Published

2026-08-10

Issue

No. 2 (2026): Journal of the Belarusian State University. Ecology

Section

The Study and Rehabilitation of Ecosystems

How to Cite

[1]
Sushko, G. et al. 2026. Functional diversity and its assessment in insect synecologystudies using the R statistical environment. Journal of the Belarusian State University. Ecology. 2 (Aug. 2026), 4–19.