Which one of the following statements represents species diversity?

The correct answer is Option (2) → Western Ghats have a greater amphibian species than the Eastern Ghats.

Biodiversity has three levels. Genetic diversity is the variation within one species. Species diversity is the variety of species in a region. Ecological diversity is the variety of ecosystems.

(1) India has more than 50,000 genetically different strains of rice, and 1,000 varieties of mango. — Incorrect. These are many forms of one species, rice or mango. This is genetic diversity.

(2) Western Ghats have a greater amphibian species than the Eastern Ghats. — Correct. It compares the number of different species in two regions. This is species diversity.

(3) A single species might show high diversity at the genetic level over its distributional range. — Incorrect. It speaks of variation inside a single species. This is genetic diversity.

(4) At the ecosystem level, India has more diversity than any Scandinavian country. — Incorrect. India has deserts, rain forests, mangroves, coral reefs, wetlands, estuaries and alpine meadows. This is ecological diversity.

NCERT Extract:
Biodiversity – “… (i) Genetic diversity : A single species might show high diversity at the genetic level over its distributional range. The genetic variation shown by the medicinal plant Rauwolfia vomitoria growing in different Himalayan ranges might be in terms of the potency and concentration of the active chemical (reserpine) that the plant produces. India has more than 50,000 genetically different strains of rice, and 1,000 varieties of mango.
(ii) Species diversity: The diversity at the species level, for example, the Western Ghats have a greater amphibian species diversity than the Eastern Ghats.”