SHE analysis (Hayek & Buzas 1997, Buzas & Hayek 1998) requires a matrix of integer abundance data (counts), with taxa in rows and samples in columns. The program calculates log species abundance (ln S), Shannon index (H) and log evenness (ln E = H – ln S) for the first sample. Then the second sample is added to the first, and the process continues. The resulting cumulative SHE profiles can be interpreted ecologically. If the samples are taken not from one homogenous population but across a gradient or up a stratigraphic section, breaks in the curve may be used to infer discontinuities (e.g. biozone boundaries).
References
Buzas, M.A. & L.-A. C. Hayek. 1998. SHE analysis for biofacies identification. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 28:233-239.
Hayek, L.-A. C. & M.A. Buzas. 1997. Surveying natural populations. Columbia University Press.