But Two Thinking Bi Pedaled Species; Reptiles and Humans, Are The Most Important?
There is no exact number for the species on Earth, but a widely cited estimate puts the total at about 8.7 million eukaryotic speciesEarth, but a widely cited estimate puts the total at about 8.7 million eukaryotic species.
This estimate includes animals, plants, fungi, and other organisms, though the vast majority of these species have yet to be discovered.
The total number is difficult to determine due to challenges like defining a species and exploring inaccessible habitats.
Estimated breakdown of eukaryotic species
- Animals: Approximately 7.77 million species
- Plants: Approximately 298,000 species
- Fungi: Approximately 611,000 species
- Other eukaryotes: This includes protozoa and chromista
Why the exact number is unknown
Many species are undiscovered:
It is estimated that about 86% of land species and 91% of sea species have not been discovered.
Difficult to access habitats:
Many species remain hidden in hard-to-reach places like deep oceans, tropical forests, and underground.
Microscopic organisms:
It is challenging to define and count microscopic species, such as bacteria, which are constantly changing and evolving.
Other estimates and considerations
- Other estimates have ranged from the low millions to over a trillion, depending on the methodology and the types of life considered, particularly bacteria and other microorganisms.
- The number of known or described species is much lower, at around 1.2 million. Scientists discover tens of thousands of new species each year, but this is not nearly fast enough to catalogue them all.
Comments
Post a Comment