Question

aerial images of minicoy atoll (left) and salomon atoll (right)
which level of species diversity did rucha and her colleagues measure during their study?
choose 1 answer:
a alpha (\alpha) diversity
b beta (\beta) diversity
c gamma (\gamma) diversity
image credits and reference

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze the types of species diversity:

• Alpha (α) diversity measures diversity within a single community or habitat.
• Beta (β) diversity measures the difference in species composition between different communities or habitats (e.g., between two atolls like Minicoy and Salomon).
• Gamma (γ) diversity measures the overall diversity across a large region or multiple ecosystems.

Since the study involves two different atolls (Minicoy and Salomon), the diversity being measured is the difference between these two habitats, which is beta (β) diversity.

Answer:

B. beta ($\beta$) diversity