The Shannon Diversity Index (SDI) measures the diversity of species in your garden, taking into account both the number of species (richness) and their relative abundance (evenness). A higher SDI indicates a more diverse and balanced ecosystem.

Scoring Notes:

• Low SDI (Score 0–1): Low biodiversity with few species or dominant species.

• Moderate SDI (Score 1–2): Some diversity, but there’s potential for more balance and variety.

• High SDI (Score 2+): High biodiversity, with a balanced and varied mix of species thriving in your garden.

Evenness measures how evenly the species in your garden are distributed. A perfectly even garden has a similar number of individuals per species, while a garden dominated by one or two species will have low evenness.

Scoring Notes:

• Low Evenness (Score 0–0.3): A few species dominate the garden, indicating low biodiversity.

• Moderate Evenness (Score 0.3–0.7): A fair variety of species, but some may still be more dominant than others.

• High Evenness (Score 0.7–1): A well-balanced ecosystem, with no single species outnumbering the others significantly.

Richness refers to the total number of different species present in your garden. A higher richness score indicates greater biodiversity and a wider variety of plants and wildlife supported by your garden.

Scoring Notes:

• Low Richness (Score 0–5): A garden with few species, suggesting limited biodiversity.

• Moderate Richness (Score 5–15): A fair number of species, though there is still potential to increase diversity.

• High Richness (Score 15+): A wide variety of species, supporting a robust ecosystem.

This score represents the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) your garden absorbs through photosynthesis and carbon sequestration in plant biomass and soil. Gardens with more plants, especially trees, can significantly contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Scoring Notes:

• Low CO2 Reduction (Score 0–100 kg/year): A garden with minimal plant cover or few large plants that sequester carbon.

• Moderate CO2 Reduction (Score 100–500 kg/year): A well-planted garden with a good variety of carbon-absorbing species.

• High CO2 Reduction (Score 500+ kg/year): A garden with abundant trees and large plants that sequester a substantial amount of carbon.

The Invasive Impact Score measures the negative effect of invasive species present in your garden. Invasive species can disrupt local ecosystems, outcompete native plants, and reduce biodiversity. The score is based on the species you have selected, with higher scores reflecting greater negative impacts on local wildlife and plant communities.

Scoring Notes:

• High Impact (Score 15–25): Your garden contains highly invasive species, which can significantly damage local ecosystems. Immediate action is required to remove these species and replace them with native alternatives.

• Moderate Impact (Score 5–14): There are some invasive species in your garden, but their impact is less severe. While these species might not cause immediate, widespread damage, they can still compete with native plants. Regular monitoring and management are recommended.

• Low Impact (Score 0–4): Your garden contains few to no invasive species, allowing native plants and wildlife to thrive. This is the ideal situation for fostering a balanced and healthy ecosystem.

Note: The impact score is calculated based on the species selected and their corresponding negativity scores (higher values indicate greater ecological harm).