Question

species at each atoll along transects, which are marked underwater paths used to record data. their results are shown in the table below.

atoll	number of fish species
kalpeni	21
kavaratti	43
minicoy	36
permula par	54

which of the following species diversity measures did rucha and her colleagues use for their study?

choose 1 answer:

a) alpha ($\alpha$) diversity

b) beta ($\beta$) diversity

c) gamma ($\gamma$) diversity

Explanation:

Alpha (α) diversity measures the species diversity within a single habitat or ecosystem (here, each atoll is a habitat). The table shows the number of fish species at each atoll, which is measuring diversity within each atoll (local diversity), matching alpha diversity. Beta (β) diversity is about differences between habitats, and gamma (γ) is regional diversity across multiple habitats. So the correct measure here is alpha diversity.

Answer:

A. alpha (α) diversity