18 Questions
What is the main focus of conservation efforts in relation to diversity?
All of the above
Which group has more species than all vertebrate species combined?
Fungi
Which explanation is provided for the high species richness in the tropics?
More stable environment
What is one significant factor that influences species richness?
Latitude of the region
What contributes to the present high rates of extinction on Earth?
Human activities
Which country is one of the 12 mega diversity countries of the world?
India
What percentage of all recorded species are animals?
More than 70%
Which taxonomic group makes up more than 70% of the total animal species on the planet?
Insects
How many out of every 10 animals on the planet are insects?
7
Which group has more species than the combined total of fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals?
Fungi
What percentage of the world's land area does India have?
2.4%
What is the total number of plant and animal species described so far according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) in 2004?
Around 1.5 million
Despite having 2.4% of the world's land area, what is India's share of global species diversity?
8.1%
Why is it challenging to determine the total number of species on Earth?
Because many species are yet to be discovered and described.
In which regions are species inventories more complete based on the provided text?
Temperate regions
What method do biologists use to estimate the total number of species on Earth?
Statistical comparison between temperate and tropical species richness
What is the range of extreme estimates for the total number of species on Earth mentioned in the text?
20 to 50 million
What is Robert May's estimate for global species diversity on Earth?
Approximately 7 million
Study Notes
- Total number of described plant and animal species is slightly over 1.5 million, with estimates for undiscovered species ranging from 20 to 50 million, but a more conservative estimate puts global species diversity at around 7 million.
- Over 70% of named species are animals, with insects comprising 70% of that category, and the Fungi group having more species than all vertebrates combined.
- India is one of the 12 mega diversity countries, with around 45,000 plant species and twice as many animal species.
- Species diversity is highest in the tropics due to factors such as more evolutionary time, a constant environment, and higher solar energy leading to greater productivity.
- Earth's fossil record shows past mass extinctions, but current extinction rates are 100 to 1000 times higher, mainly due to human activities.
Test your knowledge on estimating the total number of species on Earth based on recorded data and uncertainties regarding undiscovered species. Explore the challenges in determining the exact count of plant and animal species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).
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