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Introduction to Biodiversity Lab
Modified from Susan OBrien, Rockville High School
Objective
Calculate and compare species diversity in two communities
Background
Biodiversity can be defined as the variability among living organisms on the earth, including the
variability within and between species and within and between ecosystems. In this lab we will
examine species diversity in 2 different communities.
There are multiple ways (indexes) of measuring species diversity, including species richness,
Shannon-Weiner, and species evenness. Species Richness refers to the number of species in a
community. Species richness can be calculated using Equation 1:
Equation 1: R=s, where s=number of species.
Shannon-Wiener Index (H) is determined by both the number of species and the even
distribution of individuals among those species (relative dominance). It indicates the degree of
uncertainty of predicting the species of a given individual picked at random from a community. In
other words, if the diversity is high, you have a poor chance of correctly predicting the species of
the next individual picked at random. Shannon-Wiener Index can be calculated using Equation 2:
Equation 2: H=- (Pi ln[Pi])
Pi (representing relative abundance)= ni/N
ni= count of how many of the species
N=total number of individuals of all species
Species Evenness (E) refers to how similar the abundance of individuals in a community.
Species evenness can be found using species richness (R) and the Shannon-Wiener Index (H)
using Equation 3. When there are similar proportions of all species, then evenness is one, but
when the abundances are very dissimilar, the value increases. The farther from one=more
dominance and less evenness.
Equation 3: E=H/ ln (R)
Preserving biodiversity is important for many reasons, some of which are described below:
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Pre-Lab Question
1.) Determine which community is more diverse. Show your work!
a. Community 1 contains 10 species with 91 individuals in the first species, and one
individual in each of the remaining species
b. Community 2 also contains 10 species, but there are 10 individuals in each species
c. Community 3 contains 5 species, with 20 individuals in each species
Procedure
1. Collecting Data
Be efficient with your data collection. You may wish to divide your lab group into
teams of 2
Species will be based on whether the vehicle is a 2 door car, 4 door car,
truck, SUV, minivan, or motorcycle. If you are having difficulty classifying a
species, you must come to a decision as a team. Do not skip any species!
Use Data Table 1 to collect your data. You may wish to make tally marks to record
the species.
Hopefully there will not be too much immigration or emigration (cars coming and
going) during data collection. If there is, use your best judgment.
Use caution when collecting data in the parking lot!
Data
Table 1: Faculty Lot Community
Species (i)
2 Door Car
4 Door Car
Truck
SUV
Minivan
Motorcycle
ni (Tally marks)
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Total Number of all
Species (N)
(6 if all species are
present)
Table 2: Student Lot Community
Species (i)
2 Door Car
ni (Tally marks)
4 Door Car
Truck
SUV
Minivan
Motorcycle
Total Number of all
Species (N)
(6 if all species are
present)
2. Calculate Indexes
a. Use the formulas provided in the background to calculate all 3 indexes of diversity
for each community.
b. Use the table below to calculate the Shannon-Weiner Index (H) for Community A
(Faculty). Record your value in Data Table 3
Species
Car (2 door)
Car (4 door)
SUV
Truck
Minivan
Motorcycle
Pi
ln (Pi)
(Pi ln[Pi])
e. Repeat the analysis for the Student Parking Lot. Record your value in Data Table 3:
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Species
Car (2 door)
Car (4 door)
SUV
Truck
Minivan
Motorcycle
f.
Pi
ln (Pi)
(Pi ln[Pi])
Index
Species Richness (R)
Community A (Faculty)
Community B (Student)
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