Description
Calculate interval overlap width and the outer span of two supplied niche-axis ranges.
Ecological records need explicit sampling units, detection states, effort denominators, interval geometry and trait/abundance bases. Nondetection differs from absence, and shared sampling-unit labels do not alone diagnose pseudoreplication. A one-axis overlap or single weighted contribution is only a limited component of a broader ecological analysis.
Calculate interval overlap width and the outer span of two supplied niche-axis ranges.
When to use this tool
Use Species Niche Axis Overlap when you already have firstLower, firstUpper, secondLower, secondUpper and need to calculate interval overlap width and the outer span of two supplied niche-axis ranges.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter firstLower, firstUpper, secondLower, secondUpper. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read overlapWidth, unionSpan. Use the output convention below.
Require ordered lower/upper endpoints; overlap=max(0,min(uppers)-max(lowers)), unionSpan=max(uppers)-min(lowers).1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| firstLower | First Lower | Required. Finite number. |
| firstUpper | First Upper | Required. Finite number. |
| secondLower | Second Lower | Required. Finite number. |
| secondUpper | Second Upper | Required. Finite number. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| overlapWidth | Overlap Width | Required. Finite number. |
| unionSpan | Outer max-upper minus min-lower; includes a gap for disjoint intervals and is not set-union length. | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"firstLower": 0,
"firstUpper": 5,
"secondLower": 3,
"secondUpper": 8
},
"output": {
"overlapWidth": 2,
"unionSpan": 8
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- The outer span includes gaps between disjoint intervals and is not set-union length. This is one axis, not multidimensional niche overlap, competition or a normalized similarity.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Review original survey records, sampling design, specimens and calibration definitions for an ecological conclusion. Use complete detection, population, community or process models as appropriate; local count rates and source labels do not infer unobserved states or ecological mechanisms.
References
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