What does a Rank Abundance Curve plot against each other?

A Rank Abundance Curve presents a visual representation of the relative abundance of species plotted against their rank in abundance. In this type of plot, species are arranged in order from the most abundant to the least abundant, with relative abundance typically shown on the y-axis. This method allows for an effective comparison of biodiversity within different communities; it highlights both the number of species present and how evenly abundance is distributed among them.

The slope and shape of the curve provide insight into the ecological dynamics of the community. A steeper curve suggests that a few species dominate the community, indicating less diversity, while a more gradual slope suggests a more even distribution of abundance among species, indicating higher biodiversity. This makes the Rank Abundance Curve a valuable tool for ecologists when assessing community structure and health.