Question

The term alpha diversity refers to

• A. Genetic diversity
• B. Community and ecosystem diversity
• C. Species diversity
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is B Community and ecosystem diversity

Whittaker's idea was that the total species diversity in a landscape is the gamma diversity and is determined by two different things, the mean species diversity in sites or habitats at a more local scale is an alpha diversity and the differentiation among those habitats is the beta diversity.

Alpha diversity was defined by Whittaker (1972) as the species richness of a place. However, the practical development of this concept led to redefine the alpha diversity on the basis of the structure of the community.

Thus, the correct answer is option B.