Center of studies on
Subterranean Biology

Although the concept of complexity is often associated with the concept of stable ecosystems, complex biological systems deserve their own definition. The aim of this study was to generate an ecologically comprehensive model for complexity, and create an index able to express it in a given community. This index was tested using, as models, invertebrate communities associated with subterraneans caves, given the relative simplicity of their ecosystems when compared to epigean ecosystems such as tropical forests. The biological complexity was significantly related to the richness, diversity and equitability of the communities. However, there was no relationship whatsoever with the environmental stability of the subterranean systems, calculated using the "stability index" also developed in this present work. The application of the complexity index for conservation purposes not only of subterranean ecosystems is direct, as it allows one to assess the potential for interactions between species in a given community. It is suggested, for example, the use of this index to define priority karst and pseudo-karst conservation areas or even to define areas potentially susceptible to exploitative use (mining).