| 1. |
Alpha , delta, beta , gamma diversity |
|
Answer» Alpha diversity is the number of species found in a small and homogeneous area (very tiny area up to about 1,000 hectares or 2,500 acres). It is the same as species richness for a local community. Beta diversity entails comparing one small and homogeneous community with another in the same general area. It is the number of species unique to each community in the pair of communities being compared. The greater the beta diversity between the pair of communities in comparison with the alpha diversity of each community, the greater the distinctiveness of the two communities. Gamma diversity is kind of like alpha diversity, only at a larger geographical scale. It is the total species richness of all the patches or communities within a larger area, say, 1,000 hectares or 2,500 acres up to maybe 1,000,000 hectares or 2,500,000 acres. |
|