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Name______________________________________
Class_____________Date_____________
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:

New medicines have been discovered by screening diverse ecosystems


Genetic diversity in crops and plants and their wild relatives provides breeders with the
raw material needed to select for traits in resopnse to new agricultural challenges
Diverse communities are genrally less susucpetible to perturbation than similar but less
diverse communties
Biodiversity provides an aesthetic value that humans find appealing

When pollution is present or a human distrubance has occurred in a community, biodiversity is


typically lower than in an undisturbed community.

APES

Name______________________________________
Class_____________Date_____________

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])

Sum of (Pi ln[Pi])


c. Find H by summing the products of (Pi ln[pi]) and dropping the negative sign. )Take a
moment to look back at the formula and see how these directions match the
mathematical operation of the formula). Record your value in Data Table 3.
d. Find Species Evenness (E) using the formula given in the introduction. Show your
work below. Record your value in Data Table 3.

e. Repeat the analysis for the Student Parking Lot. Record your value in Data Table 3:

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Name______________________________________
Class_____________Date_____________
Species
Car (2 door)
Car (4 door)
SUV
Truck
Minivan
Motorcycle
f.

Pi

ln (Pi)

(Pi ln[Pi])

Sum of (Pi ln[Pi])


Calculate Species Evenness for the Student Parking Lot. Record Your Value in Data
Table 3:
Data Table 3

Index
Species Richness (R)

Community A (Faculty)

Community B (Student)

Shannon-Weiner Index (H)


Relative Diversity
(high/low)
Base this on the S-H Index
Species Evenness (E)
Dominance (high/low)
If high, what species
dominated?
Conclusion
Individually, prepare a conclusion that includes the following:

1st Paragraph: Introduction to Biodiversity


o Answer the following questions using reputable sources
What is biodiversity?
How can biodiversity be measured?
Why is biodiversity important?
2nd Paragraph: Experimental Results
o Which community is most diverse? Support your conclusion with experimental
data.
o Compare your findings to your hypothesis.
o Did any species dominate either community? Explain.
o Explain any errors in your design or data collection process that could affect your
conclusion
rd
3 Paragraph: Should we care about the extinction of individual species?
o Use your UCONN Credentials to logon to the Universitys library database
o Support your answer with information you find from the scientific literature of
primary and secondary sources

APES

Name______________________________________
Class_____________Date_____________

Remember to cite your sources in APA Format using a numeric footnote to indicate the source
you are citing.

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