Q. What does the term 'Beta diversity' accurately refer to within ecological studies?
Answer: It denotes the species diversity between two specific communities.
Notes: Beta diversity is the concept used in ecology to refer to the variation in species composition between different ecosystems or communities. It provides a measure of how different the species are in two different communities. It's a valuable insight exporter as it helps ecologists understand the relationship between different biological communities, and ascertain critical factors shaping biodiversity patterns. This concept forms an essential triad alongside Alpha (diversity within a particular area or ecosystem) and Gamma diversity (diversity at larger geographical scales).