Alpha Diversity

Alpha diversity refers to the variety of species or types of organisms within a specific environment or site. It measures how diverse a single ecosystem is, considering both the number of different species present (richness) and how evenly individuals are distributed among those species (evenness). Higher alpha diversity indicates a more varied and balanced ecosystem, which can contribute to its resilience and stability. It’s commonly used in ecology and microbiology to assess the health and complexity of local habitats, helping scientists understand the richness and structure of biodiversity in a specific area.