DESCRIBING INEQUALITY IN PLANT SIZE OR FECUNDITY

Abstract

Lorenz curves have been used to describe inequality in plant size and fecundity, where the total inequality is summarized by the Gini coefficient. Here we propose a second and complementary statistic, the Lorenz asymmetry coefficient, which characterizes an important aspect of the shape of a Lorenz curve. The statistic tells us which size classes contribute most to the population's total inequality. This may be useful when interpreting the ecological significance of plant size or reproductive inequality.