Final answer:
An index of diversity may be a more useful measure of biodiversity as it takes into account the relative abundances of species and allows for comparisons between ecosystems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Traditionally, ecologists have measured biodiversity by taking into account both the number of species and their relative abundance. However, an index of diversity may be a more useful measure of biodiversity for several reasons.
An index of diversity takes into account not only the number of species but also their relative abundances. This provides a more comprehensive and accurate measure of the overall diversity within an ecosystem.
Furthermore, an index of diversity allows for comparisons between different ecosystems or areas. By standardizing the measure of diversity, it is easier to assess and compare biodiversity across different regions or habitats.