This document discusses biodiversity and methods for measuring it. It explains that biodiversity has three main components: species diversity, ecosystem diversity, and genetic diversity. It also describes different categories for measuring diversity within habitats (alpha diversity), between habitats (beta diversity), and across landscapes (gamma diversity). The document focuses on the Simpson index, which measures the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to the same species. It provides the formula for calculating the Simpson index and discusses how it can be adapted to better represent diversity. An example calculation using species data from a woodland is also included.
This document discusses biodiversity and methods for measuring it. It explains that biodiversity has three main components: species diversity, ecosystem diversity, and genetic diversity. It also describes different categories for measuring diversity within habitats (alpha diversity), between habitats (beta diversity), and across landscapes (gamma diversity). The document focuses on the Simpson index, which measures the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to the same species. It provides the formula for calculating the Simpson index and discusses how it can be adapted to better represent diversity. An example calculation using species data from a woodland is also included.
This slideshow was created for the VCE Environmental Science Online Course, Unit 3: Biodiversity. It explains different methods of assessing biodiversity and discusses several indices for measurement.
1. Species diversity refers to the number and variety of species in a given region. It takes into account both the number of species and how evenly abundant they are.
2. There are three main types of species: endemic, exotic, and cosmopolitan. Endemic species are restricted to a particular area while exotic species have been transported by humans.
3. Factors that affect species diversity include speciation, extinction, migration, habitat destruction, and the introduction of invasive species. Speciation occurs through geographic isolation or reductions in gene flow. Extinction can be caused by overharvesting, pollution, and habitat loss.
This slideshow was created for the VCE Environmental Science Online Course, Unit 3: Biodiversity. It explains different methods of assessing biodiversity and discusses several indices for measurement.
1. Species diversity refers to the number and variety of species in a given region. It takes into account both the number of species and how evenly abundant they are.
2. There are three main types of species: endemic, exotic, and cosmopolitan. Endemic species are restricted to a particular area while exotic species have been transported by humans.
3. Factors that affect species diversity include speciation, extinction, migration, habitat destruction, and the introduction of invasive species. Speciation occurs through geographic isolation or reductions in gene flow. Extinction can be caused by overharvesting, pollution, and habitat loss.