Edexcel International A Level Biology

Revision Notes

4.18 Index of Biodiversity

Test Yourself

Comparison of Biodiversity Indicies

  • Once the abundance of different species in an area has been recorded, the results can be used to calculate the species diversity for that area
    • Species diversity looks at the number of different species in an area but also the abundance across the different species
  • An index of diversity is a measurement that describes the relationship between the number of species present and how each species contributes to the total number of organisms that are present in that community

The index of diversity formula

  • The formula is:

straight D space equals space fraction numerator straight N left parenthesis straight N minus 1 right parenthesis over denominator Σn left parenthesis straight n minus 1 right parenthesis end fraction

  • Where:
    • n = total no. of organisms for a single species in the community
    • N = total no. of organisms in the community
    • Σ = sum of
  •  The larger the number obtained, the higher the level of diversity

Calculating the index of diversity

  • To calculate:
    • Step 1: Calculate N(N-1) to find value A
    • Step 2: Calculate n(n-1) for each species and add all these numbers together to find value B
    • Step 3: Divide value A by value B

Worked example

Samples of different insect species in a back garden were collected using sweep nets and identification keys. Use the data recorded to calculate the index of diversity.

Index of diversity question table

The total number of organisms(N) in this community would be: 7 + 34 + 6 + 21 + 12 + 37 + 7 + 19 + 59 = 202

The formula is:

straight D space equals space fraction numerator straight N left parenthesis straight N minus 1 right parenthesis over denominator Σn left parenthesis straight n minus 1 right parenthesis end fraction

Step one: Calculate N(N-1) to find value A

N(N-1) = 202(202-1)

N(N-1)= 202(201)

N(N-1) = 40602

Step two: Calculate n(n-1) for each species and add all of these numbers together to find value B 

See table below

Index of diversity working table

Step three: Divide value A by value B to calculate the index of diversity (D)

D = 40602÷ 6884

D = 5.90

  • The higher the value of D, the greater the level of biodiversity in that area
  • It is useful to compare the species diversity in different habitats by calculating the diversity index for each of them

Exam Tip

Even though you are not expected to memorise the formulae for calculating the heterozygosity index and index of diversity, you will be expected to know how to use them and understand what the values mean that you calculate with them.

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Marlene

Author: Marlene

Marlene graduated from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, in 2002 with a degree in Biodiversity and Ecology. After completing a PGCE (Postgraduate certificate in education) in 2003 she taught high school Biology for over 10 years at various schools across South Africa before returning to Stellenbosch University in 2014 to obtain an Honours degree in Biological Sciences. With over 16 years of teaching experience, of which the past 3 years were spent teaching IGCSE and A level Biology, Marlene is passionate about Biology and making it more approachable to her students.