Question

How do you think gamma diversity should affect alpha diversity in local habitats within the landscape? Explain your reasoning.

Answer 1

In ecology, R.H. Whittaker described three types of diversity for measuring biodiversity at a local scale.

Alpha diversity (α-diversity) is defined as the mean species diversity in sites at a local scale.

Change among these species diversity is accounted by measuring the beta diversity.

The third type is the gamma diversity, which is defined as the overall diversity for the different ecosystems within a region.

Whittaker concluded that the total species diversity in a landscape i.e., gamma diversity is determined by two factors, the mean species diversity in sites or habitats at a more local scale-alpha diversity, and the differentiation among those habitats-beta diversity. So overall diversity in a large region in gamma diversity a ffects the species richness in a local area in alcase of alpha diversity.