Question

The correct equation depicting species-area relationship is

• A. $\log S =\log C+ Z \log A$
• B. $\log C=\log S + Z \log A$
• C. $\log A=\log C+Z \log S$
• D. $\log Z =\log C + S \log A$

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The question pertains to the 'species-area relationship,' which is an important concept in ecology. It describes how the number of species (biodiversity) is related to the area in which they are found. The model that best describes this relationship mathematically is the power law, which can be expressed logarithmically as: 

\(S = C \cdot A^Z\)

Where:

• \(S\) is the number of species.
• \(A\) is the area.
• \(C\) is a constant that depends on the units used and specific ecosystem characteristics.
• \(Z\) is the slope of the line in the logarithmic form, typically a positive value indicating how species richness increases with area.

To linearize this relationship for easier analysis, we take logarithms on both sides:

\(\log S = \log C + Z \cdot \log A\)

This is the logarithmic form of the species-area relationship. Given this understanding, we can select the correct option from the provided choices.

1. Option 1: \(\log S = \log C + Z \log A\) - This matches exactly with our derived logarithmic equation.
2. Option 2: \(\log C = \log S + Z \log A\) - This rearranges the key elements incorrectly.
3. Option 3: \(\log A = \log C + Z \log S\) - This equation is incorrectly formulated and does not represent the relationship described.
4. Option 4: \(\log Z = \log C + S \log A\) - This is not relevant to the species-area relationship.

Thus, the correct equation depicting the species-area relationship is:

\(\log S = \log C + Z \log A\)