Simpson's Index of Diversity

Question 1

What two biodiversity factors does Simpson’s Index take into account?

Answer 1

-Species Richness
-Species Evenness

Question 2

Why is it important to do this?

Answer 2

Species present in a habitat in small numbers shouldn’t be treated the same as a species with a large population.

Question 3

What is the symbol for Simpson’s Index of Diversity?

Answer 3

D

Question 4

What is the symbol for ‘sum of’?

Answer 4

∑

Question 5

What is the possible range for Simpson’s Index of Diversity?

Answer 5

0 to 1

Question 6

What does a higher index (1) mean?

Answer 6

A more diverse habitat as species richness and evenness will be higher.

Question 7

What does a lower index (0) mean?

Answer 7

A less diverse habitat as species richness and evenness will be lower.

Question 8

What is the equation for Simpson’s Index of Diversity?

Answer 8

D=1-∑ (n/N)^2

Question 9

What is N?

Answer 9

The total number of individuals found

Question 10

What is n?

Answer 10

The number of individuals of a particular species

Question 11

What is the first step in calculating Simpson’s Index of Diversity?

Answer 11

Calculate N

Question 12

What is the second step in calculating Simpson’s Index of Diversity?

Answer 12

Calculate n/N for each species

Question 13

What is the third step in calculating Simpson’s Index of Diversity?

Answer 13

Square your n/N for each species

Question 14

What is the fourth step in calculating Simpson’s Index of Diversity?

Answer 14

Add up n/N squared

Question 15

What is the fifth step in calculating Simpson’s Index of Diversity?

Answer 15

For each field, subtract these totals from 1