Which index measures the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different species?
Simpson’s diversity index in the complementary form, 1 − D, estimates the probability that two randomly chosen individuals belong to different species. Here D = Σpᵢ², or an equivalent finite-sample expression using nᵢ(nᵢ − 1), is the probability of drawing two individuals from the same species. Subtracting from one converts conspecific probability into heterospecific probability. The index rises when richness increases and when abundances become more even, approaching 1 in highly diverse communities. Shannon’s index measures average information or uncertainty in species identity rather than th
Ref: NCERT Biology Class 12, Ch. 15 Biodiversity and Conservation
