Question

Identify different types of diversity denoted by 1, 2 and 3 in the given figure.

• A. 1 - Alpha diversity; 2 - Beta diversity; 3 - Gamma diversity
• B. 1 - Gamma diversity; 2 - Alpha diversity; 3 - Beta diversity
• C. 1 - Gamma diversity; 2 - Beta diversity; 3 - Alpha diversity
• D. 1 - Beta diversity; 2 - Alpha diversity; 3 - Gamma diversity

Answer 1

The correct option is D 1 - Beta diversity; 2 - Alpha diversity; 3 - Gamma diversity

The ecological biodiversity can be measured at three levels of the community. The three levels include the Alpha diversity, Beta diversity and Gamma diversity.

• Alpha diversity represents the number of species in a particular community, and it is used to compare the number of species within the community.
• Beta diversity is used to compare the number of species between two communities.
• Gamma diversity refers to the sum of alpha diversity and beta diversity. It is used to measure diversity as a whole within a large area.
  

In the given figure, 1 represents Beta diversity as it is showing the comparison between two communities. Alpha diversity is denoted by 2 as it includes a single community. Gamma diversity is denoted by 3 as it contains the whole geographical region including alpha and beta diversity. Thus, the correct representation is '1-Beta diversity; 2-Alpha diversity; 3-Gamma diversity'.