Problem 6 - Biology: The Dynamic Science

Question

The table below shows how many individuals were recorded for each of five species in five separate communities (a-e). Which community has the highest species diversity? $$ \begin{array}{llllll} \text { Community } & \begin{array}{l} \text { Species } \\ 1 \end{array} & \begin{array}{l} \text { Species } \\ 2 \end{array} & \begin{array}{l} \text { Species } \\ 3 \end{array} & \begin{array}{l} \text { Species } \\ 4 \end{array} & \begin{array}{l} \text { Species } \\ 5 \end{array} \\ \text { a. } & 90 & 10 & 0 & 0 & 0 \\ \text { b. } & 80 & 10 & 10 & 0 & 0 \\ \text { c. } & 25 & 25 & 25 & 25 & 0 \\ \text { d. } & 2 & 4 & 6 & 8 & 80 \\ \text { e. } & 20 & 20 & 20 & 20 & 20 \end{array} $$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Community e has the highest species diversity.

Step 1: Calculate total number of individuals in each community

To calculate the total number of individuals in each community, sum up the number of individuals of each species in the given community. For each community (a to e), the calculation would be as follows: Community a: \(90 + 10 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 100\), community b: \(80 + 10 + 10 + 0 + 0 = 100\), community c: \(25 + 25 + 25 + 25 + 0 = 100\), community d: \(2 + 4 + 6 + 8 + 80 = 100\), and community e: \(20 + 20 + 20 + 20 + 20 = 100\).

Step 2: Calculate species richness for each community

Species richness is the count of different species in a community. Count the number of species in each community that have individuals. Communities a and b each have 2 species, community c has 4 species, community d has 5 species, and community e has 5 species.

Step 3: Calculate species evenness for each community

Species evenness refers to how equal the community is divided among the species. By observation, communities d and e seem to have the most even distribution of individuals among species. Community d has a fairly significant concentration in Species 5, but Community E is completely evenly distributed, with every species having exactly 20 individuals. This denotes perfect evenness.

Step 4: Determine the community with the highest species diversity

Species diversity is influenced by both species richness and species evenness. Community e has both high species richness (5 species) and perfect species evenness (every species has 20 individuals), making it the community with the highest species diversity.