Métodos cuantitativos en paleoecología de comunidades

This work describes the most common quantitative methods for the general characterization of paleocommunities from a given site and proposes a quick and simple guide that includes the main indicators used in paleoecology. The sequence combines the following attributes: 1) collecting, identifying, and quantifying paleontological material, 2) estimating spatial patterns, 3) determining species diversity through ecological indicators, rarefaction methods, as well as compositional, similarity, and differentiation coefficients. This stepwise progression finally results in the recognition of attributes such as number and relative abundance of species, the nature of their interactions and the physical structure of communities. The knowledge of the ecological changes taken in the past not only improves our understanding and management of current ecosystems, but also helps to predict and elaborate educated guesses about possible future changes in one or several attributes or parameters.