Question

The value of the regression coefficient 'Z' is dependent on:

• A. Species richness
• B. Area or region
• C. Flora present in the habitat
• D. Both A and B

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Biodiversity includes all the flora and fauna on Earth. All the varieties of organisms come under biodiversity. German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt made the observation regarding the relationship between species richness and the area of the habitat. As per his observation, species richness increased with increasing area of habitat upto a limit. When plotted in a graph, this relationship forms a rectangular hyperbola On a log scale, the relationship is a straight line having the equation
$LogS=LogC+ZLogA$ . $S=$ species richness, $A=$ area of region, $C=Y-$ intercept and $Z=$ regression co-efficient (Slope). Ecologists' study has shown that value of Z lies in the rang of $0.1-0.2$ irrespective of the organism group or region unless the area is very large like entire continents. Thus, it is independent of species type or area.