Biodiversity on Earth: How Many Species Have Been Identified?

Approximately how many species have been identified on Earth? Final answer: c. About 1.7 million species have been identified on Earth, yet this figure represents less than 20% of the estimated 8.7 million eukaryotic species, and a much smaller fraction of prokaryotic species.

The Diversity of Life on Earth

About 1.7 million species have been identified on Earth. The majority of these are eukaryotic species, encompassing all complex and multicellular organisms. However, this number is just a fraction of the total estimated species on our planet.

Unveiling the Hidden Species

Current estimates suggest that there are approximately 8.7 million eukaryotic species on Earth, indicating that a significant portion of biodiversity remains undiscovered and unnamed. The exploration of prokaryotic species, such as bacteria, further complicates the total count of species.

The Ongoing Effort in Biodiversity Cataloging

Scientists are continuously working on cataloging Earth's biodiversity, but the task is challenging due to the rate of new species discoveries and the looming threat of extinction. Despite the progress made in identifying species, there is still much to uncover about the vast array of life forms that inhabit our planet.

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