Neco 2024 Biology Question 28

Quadrat sampling was carried out in three freshwater habitats. The numbers of individuals recorded for each species are:\n\nPond: Algae 40, Zooplankton 30, Insect larvae 20, Fish 10.\nMarsh: Algae 20, Zooplankton 25, Insect larvae 25, Fish 15, Snail 15.\nRiver: Algae 10, Zooplankton 20, Insect larvae 30, Fish 25, Snail 15.\nFeeding categories and trophic levels are: Algae (primary producer, TL = 1), Zooplankton (primary consumer, TL = 2), Insect larvae (secondary consumer, TL = 3), Fish (tertiary consumer, TL = 4), Snail (primary consumer, TL = 2).\n(a) Compute the Shannon diversity index \(H = -\sum p_i \ln p_i\) for each habitat. (b) Identify which habitat has the highest diversity. (c) Calculate the average trophic level (weighted by abundance) for each habitat and state which habitat has the highest average trophic level.