Unrealistically high species ages predicted by ecological models.
Neutral ecological models assume all species are equal and predict patterns of biodiversity in communities. The models show the probability of species going extinct, total species richness, and species abundance. The models can help understand how likely it is for a species to survive for a certain time or how many species are expected in a community. The models can also predict immigration and extinction rates in a community. The models can be used to make ecological predictions and understand biodiversity patterns in different ecosystems.