Chapter 10. Chapter 10: Biodiversity
What is the estimated total number of species on Earth...?
Guiding Question 10.2
What is the estimated total number of species on Earth, and which taxonomic groups have the most species? How sure are we of these numbers? Why?
Why You Should Care
The estimated number of species on the planet varies quite a bit (from 3 to 100 million species). This disparity is basically due to the difficulty in knowing how little you know before you know it. There are several reasons to care about how many species there are. First, it gives us an indication of where scientific study needs to be directed. Second, knowing which groups have many species gives us an indication of which groups are likely to have species with narrow or specific niches or global importance. Lastly, knowing how many species there are out there gives you a new appreciation for the world around you.
1.
Scientists have identified approximately ________ species.
| A. |
| B. |
| C. |
| D. |
Activity results are being submitted...