What is a diversity index used for?

A diversity index is a quantitative measure that reflects how many different types of species are represented in a given community, as well as the abundance of each species. Therefore, it is specifically designed to quantify the diversity of species in an area.

Using a diversity index provides ecologists and conservationists with important insights into ecosystem health, stability, and the potential impact of environmental changes or human activities. High diversity generally indicates a more resilient ecosystem, while low diversity can signal ecological issues, making it a crucial tool in environmental studies.

The other options focus on different aspects of ecology. Total biomass measurement pertains to the overall weight of living organisms in an area, assessing genetic makeup relates to genetic diversity within a species, and evaluating resilience involves understanding how well an ecosystem can withstand stress, rather than directly quantifying species diversity. Thus, option B is directly aligned with the primary purpose of a diversity index.