ESS

• Biologie
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

How can we investigate biodiversity?

Review: What do we measure with the Lincoln index?

What is biodiversity?

What is biodiversity?

- genetic diversity

- species diversity

- ecosystem diversity

Which community is more diverse?

Which community is more diverse?

The areas have equal species richness, but area 2 has a higher evenness and therefore a higher species diversity.

Species diversity is a function of the number of species and their relative abundance and can be compared using an index. 

There are many versions of diversity indices.

You only need to be able to use the Simpson diversity index.

Simpson diversity index

D = Simpson’s diversity index

N = the total number of organisms of all species found

n = is the number of individuals of a particular species.

The higher the result (D), the greater the species diversity. 

When is a diversity index useful?

When is a diversity index useful?

• Comparing similar habitats with each other
• Comparing the same habitat at different points in time

Imagine area 1 and 2 are the same area at different points in time. What could explain the difference in species diversity?

Why should we care about biodiversity?