Question

1.Which of the following statements about species-accumulation curves is TRUE?

Only gamma diversity can be estimated using species-accumulation curves

Species-accumulation curves are a technique to estimate alpha diversity of a relatively homogenous site

Species richness will be estimated correctly using species-accumulation curves even if there are only a few samples

The order in which samples are processed will not affect the precise shape of species-accumulation curve

2. Which of the following statements about beta diversity is TRUE?

Beta diversity does not change when you measure it at different scales

All else being equal, generalists are more likely to be common when beta diversity is high

Homogenous landscapes tend to have high beta diversity

Topographically diverse, heterogenous landscapes tend to have high beta diversity

3. Which of the following statements about Latitudinal Diversity Gradient is TRUE?

Most taxonomic groups—terrestrial, marine, and freshwater—have higher species richness in low latitude regions, thus displaying latitudinal diversity gradient

Latitudinal diversity gradient is only true in terrestrial environments (that is, marine or freshwater taxa do not show latitudinal diversity gradient)

Only ectotherm (cold blooded) animals show latitudinal diversity gradient because they are not capable of the internal generation of heat, thus are dependent on available energy

Latitudinal diversity gradients is a pattern wherein species richness increases towards higher latitudes

4. Imagine you ran a regression analysis with the goal of explaining bird species richness. You used the following predictors: PET, AET, and precipitation. The regression with PET as a predictor had R² = 0.25 and p <0.0005. The regression with AET as a predictor had R² = 0.55 and p <0.005. The regression with precipitation as a predictor had R² = 0.15 and p <0.05. Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Bird species richness is likely driven by net primary productivity because AET was the strongest predictor as evidenced by the highest R2 and a statistically significant p-value.

Bird species richness is likely driven by water availability because precipitation was the strongest predictor as evidenced by the lowest R2 and a statistically significant p-value.

Bird species richness is likely driven by water availability because AET was the strongest predictor as evidenced by the highest R2 and a statistically significant p-value.

Bird species richness is likely driven by regional energy availability because PET was the strongest predictor as evidenced by the lowest p-value.

Answer 1

1- Species accumulation curves are used to record number of living beings in a particular environment and alpha diversity , also called local diversity can be studied by it . Gamma diversity is a wide range diversity study which is generally not done by curves . Shape of species accumulation curve depend on sample size and order which affect the curve. So , correct option is B.

2- correct option is D . Because -

A - scale size can affect the beta diversity.

B and C - beta diversity is not high for homogeneous data .

D - high habitat heterogeneity can affect the beta diversity.

3- correct option is A . Because latitude diversity gradient depends on the area to be considered. Low latitude regions tend to have more diverse species than high latitude regions . Also , it is applicable for all forms not only marine or cold blooded .

I am only allowed to answer . Still I tried to answer 3 of them . If you need help with other . Please post it again.