Depth estimation by proportions of living larger foraminifera

Estimation of environmental gradients by proportions of species using transfer functions is a viable and proven method. Two new methods enabling exact point estimation of the gradients are developed. The “minimum distance function”, like simple transfer equations, results in a single value, whereas the “transformed proportions method” based on logit-transformed density functions allows additional diagnosis of the coenoclines under investigation. Depth estimations in sublittoral coral reefs using larger foraminifers demonstrate the high precision of both methods.