What do you mean by alpha diversity, Biology

Assignment Help:

Q. What do you mean by Alpha diversity?

Alpha (a) richness refers to the number of species found in small, homogenous area. Alpha diversity refers to the diversity in a particular area or ecosystem and is usually expressed by the number of species (i.e. species richness) in that ecosystem.

Alpha diversity is characterised by several widespread patterns that are characteristic of most taxa and are strongly correlated with physical environmental gradients. For example,

· Marine and terrestrial environments in tropical regions have more species of higher taxonomic groups than those in higher latitude communities.

· Richness of species in terms of most taxa is positively correlated with habitat structural complexity.

· Structurally simple habitats like open oceans, grasslands, etc. generally support fewer species than structurally complex communities such as forests and coral reefs. In the open oceans maximum richness of most groups is found at depths between 2000-4000 m. In contrast coral species richness peaks at depths between 15-30 m because corals obtain their energy from photosynthetic organisms embedded in their tissues, and are thus confined to the photic zone.

· Island communities are poor in species than comparable mainland communities.


Related Discussions:- What do you mean by alpha diversity

Ecological significance - conservation of wildlife, Ecological Significance...

Ecological Significance - Conservation of Wildlife  Besides serving as a valuable genetic reservoir, each species interacts with other species and plays a role in the transfe

Bacteriophage, Bacteriophage is a virus which infects a bacterium and whic...

Bacteriophage is a virus which infects a bacterium and which is many times used in molecular genetics experiments as the vector, or cloning vehicle. Recombinant phages can be made

Which the dna is made based on the rna template, Q. Is there any situation ...

Q. Is there any situation in which the DNA is made based on the RNA template? What is the enzyme involved? The process in which the DNA is synthesized having as template a RNA

What functions regulates by hypothalamus, Q. What functions regulates by hy...

Q. What functions regulates by hypothalamus? HYPOTHALAMUS - Main visceral control center of the body (yet small in size). Central to virtually all homeostatic control . Th

Planning the nursing care for dysentry, Planning the Nursing Care   1) ...

Planning the Nursing Care   1) Maintain hydration and electrolyte balance.  2) Administer accurate and adequate antibiotics drugs.  3) Prevent the spread of infection.

What is the nitrogen waste in amphibian larvae, Q. What is the nitrogen was...

Q. What is the nitrogen waste in amphibian larvae and in the adult animal? The terrestrial adult excretes urea since amphibian larvae are aquatic they excrete ammonia.

How is the skin involved in the regulation of temperature, Q. How is the sk...

Q. How is the skin involved in the regulation of body temperature? Skin is one of various organ systems participating in maintaining a core temperature, meaning the temperature

Respiration , how many types of respiration are?define them also

how many types of respiration are?define them also

Amine and the carboxyl groups, Q. Do the amine and the carboxyl groups atta...

Q. Do the amine and the carboxyl groups attached to central carbons participate in the union between amino acids? Yes. The nitrogen of the amine group of one amino acid binds t

Advise on rest, Advise on Rest, recreation, sleep The patient should t...

Advise on Rest, recreation, sleep The patient should take enough rest and get good sleep. Restrict the visitors so that the patient can get enough rest. Not to strain th

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd