The state of Gujarat has river, desert, forest and lake ecosystem, thus exhibiting a diversity of life. Which measure do you use to denote total diversity in such a case?

Options

A. `aphla` (Alpha)
B. `beta` (Beta)
C. `gamma` (Gamma)
D. `delta` (Delta)

Answer

To determine the total diversity in the state of Gujarat, which encompasses various ecosystems such as rivers, deserts, forests, and lakes, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Diversity Types**:
- Familiarize yourself with the different types of diversity: alpha, beta, gamma, and delta diversity. Each type represents a different aspect of biodiversity.

2. **Define Alpha Diversity**:
- Alpha diversity refers to the local diversity within a specific habitat. It is the number of species present in a small, uniform area. For example, the species found only in the river ecosystem would represent alpha diversity.

3. **Define Beta Diversity**:
- Beta diversity measures the difference in species composition between different habitats. It indicates how many species are unique to each habitat. For instance, the difference in species between the river and desert ecosystems would be considered beta diversity.

4. **Define Gamma Diversity**:
- Gamma diversity is known as regional diversity. It represents the total number of species observed across all habitats within a larger geographic area. In this case, it would encompass all species found in the river, desert, forest, and lake ecosystems of Gujarat.

5. **Define Delta Diversity**:
- Delta diversity refers to the change in species composition and abundance between different regions. It compares the diversity between two distinct areas, such as Gujarat and a neighboring state like Rajasthan.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Since the question asks for the measure of total diversity in Gujarat, which includes multiple ecosystems, the appropriate term to use is gamma diversity. This is because gamma diversity accounts for all species across the various ecosystems present in the state.

### Final Answer:
The measure used to denote total diversity in the state of Gujarat is **gamma diversity**.

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