Question

Beta diversity is diversity
a. In a community
b. Between communities
c. In a mountain gradient
d. On a plain

Answer 1

Hint: The difference between various groups of species present in the same geographical area or habitat.

Complete answer:
The ratio between the diversity of the local species and the regional species is known as the beta diversity. It is the diversity or variation occurring between the two groups of species or communities which occur in the same geographical area. It includes the difference occurring between the various habitats and the diversity of the species at a habitat level.

Additional information:
1. The term beta diversity, along with the terms alpha diversity and gamma diversity, were introduced by R. H. Whittaker.
2. The beta diversity is the total species diversity in the area, which depends upon the mean species diversity at the habitat level and the difference among habitats.
3. The observation of the change in species diversity between two ecosystems will measure beta diversity.
4. It allows us to compare the diversity between the two communities.
5. It is a measure of the similarity and overlap between the samples of the distributions.
6. It can be seen in between the woodland and the hedgerow habitat, as the species present in woodland habitat are not found in hedgerow habitat, and the species present in hedgerow habitat are absent in woodland habitat.

So, the correct answer is ‘Between communities’.

Note: Diversity is the inclusion of different types of individuals from different areas. Diversity is of three types: alpha diversity (species diversity present within each forest, grassland, or a community), beta diversity (species diversity present between any two communities), and gamma diversity (species diversity along with the entire range of mountain slope).