Diversity Index - IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS) Definition
Reviewed by: Alistair Marjot
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What is a diversity index?
In IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS), a diversity index is a quantitative measure used to assess the biodiversity within a particular ecological community, habitat, or region by taking into account both species richness, which is the number of different species present, and species evenness, which is the distribution of individuals among these species.
A diversity index provides a useful tool for evaluating the complexity and health of ecosystems, by comparing the biodiversity of different areas or monitoring changes in biodiversity over time. Commonly used diversity indices include the Shannon-Wiener Index and the Simpson's Index.
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