Creating Species Accumulation Graphs in Excel

This tutorial guides you through creating a species accumulation curve in Excel. It starts with setting up a dummy dataset, calculating cumulative species richness, and plotting the data using scatter plots. The tutorial also covers correcting axis inversion and finalizing the graph with labels and additional data points.

What is the primary purpose of the tutorial?

• To explain how to create a species accumulation curve in Excel

• To teach how to draw a bar graph in Excel

• To demonstrate how to use Excel for data entry

• To show how to calculate average species richness

In the dummy data set, what do the columns represent?

• Different experiments

• Different time periods

• Different species

• Different sites

How is cumulative species richness calculated for each site?

• By multiplying the number of species by the number of sites

• By subtracting previously recorded species from the total

• By counting the number of new species in each site

• By adding the total number of species in all sites

What happens to the cumulative species richness when a new species is found at a site?

• It is reset to zero

• It decreases

• It increases

• It remains the same

What type of plot is used to visualize the species accumulation data?

• Scatter plot

• Pie chart

• Line plot

• Bar plot

What common mistake is addressed when plotting the data?

• Using the wrong type of chart

• Inverting the axes

• Forgetting to label the axes

• Not including a legend

What should be done to the graph's heading and guide lines?

• They should be italicized

• They should be bolded

• They should be removed

• They should be highlighted

What labels should be added to the graph's axes?

• Species and Sites

• Time and Species

• Data Points and Values

• Number of Samples and Cumulative Species Richness

How can a zero point be added to the graph?

• By inserting a column

• By adding a new data series

• By inserting a row with zero samples and zero species

• By changing the graph type

What is the final step to prepare the graph for a report?

• Email the graph

• Copy the graph using Ctrl+C

• Save the graph as an image

• Print the graph