continuum index A measure of the total environment of a stand of trees, expressed in terms of species composition and their relative abundance. In the Wisconsin ordination scheme the index is calculated by multiplying the importance value of each species in each sample by the adaptation number, and summing these results for each stand. See also CLIMAX ADAPTATION NUMBER and IMPORTANCE VALUE.

continuum index A measure of the total environment of a stand of trees, expressed in terms of species composition and their relative abundance. In the Wisconsin ordination scheme the index is calculated by multiplying the importance value of each species in each sample by the adaptation number, and summing these results for each stand. See also climax adaptation number.