Let's Calculate Biodiversity: Virtual Samples
Try each of these virtual samples from Baltimore's Inner Harbor.
For each virtual sample, count the different species of organisms on the disc and enter the number into the data sheet (the biodiversity measures will be calculated automatically).
After you analyze the biodiversity measurements for both samples, think about the following:
- Why are measurements like these necessary if we can hypothesize that there is greater biodiversity in virtual sample 1 vs. sample 2?
This is a great question. Think about all of the measurements that we take each day to forecast the weather. If we were to stop taking measurements of temperature and simply relied on a description like "today it will be hot and tomorrow it will be hotter," we would not have a very accurate measurement of temperature.
If we did not calculate the biodiversity values, we would not be able to say how much more or less diverse one community is from another. Nor could we say if there is any impact from good or poor water quality conditions.
Virtual Sample #1
Virtual Sample #2
Let's Calculate Biodiversity
Virtual Sample #1
Enter your counts for each of the organisms listed. When you press 'Compute', your counts will be checked and, if correct, the two measures of biodiversity will be computed in the table below the image.
Let's Calculate Biodiversity
Virtual Sample #2
Enter your counts for each of the organisms listed. When you press 'Compute', your counts will be checked and, if correct, the two measures of biodiversity will be computed in the table below the image.
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