Question

Differentiate between the following:

Alpha and Beta diversity

Answer 1

Basis of Difference	Alpha Diversity	Beta Diversity
Meaning	Alpha diversity is the diversity of organisms within a community.	Beta diversity is the diversity that exists between communities or ecosystems.
Scale	It is measured within a local community or habitat.	It is measured by comparing communities across a habitat or environmental gradient.
Focus	It considers the richness, evenness, abundance and kinds of species in one community.	It reflects the differences in species composition between communities.
Example	The diversity of species within a grassland community represents alpha diversity.	The difference in species composition between a grassland and a forest represents beta diversity.
Effect of habitat variation	It describes the diversity within the community being studied.	Greater habitat heterogeneity generally produces greater dissimilarity between communities and higher beta diversity.