Question

A particular habitat covers an area of 500 sq. km and hosts around 75 different species of organisms. The species richness of this habitat is:

• A. 6.7 species per sq. km of the habitat
• B. 0.15 species per sq. km of the habitat
• C. 7.6 species per sq. km of the habitat
• D. 0.50 species per sq. km of the habitat

Answer 1

The correct option is B 0.15 species per sq. km of the habitat

Species richness refers to the number of species present per unit area of a habitat. Mathematically it can be expressed as,
Species richness = Total number of species in a habitat/ area covered by the habitat

According to the question,
Area covered by the habitat = 500 sq. km
Number of species existing in habitat = 75
Therefore, species richness of habitat = 75/500 = 0.15

Thus, we can say that species richness of the habitat is 0.15 species present per sq. km of the habitat.