Estimated Number of Animal and Plant Species on Earth
Estimated Number of Animal and Plant Species on Earth
Believe it or not, there are about 950,000 species of insects
No one knows for sure how many species of animals exist on Earth. In fact, some 10,000 species of animals are discovered each year, with over one and a half million species already described. Projections for the total number of species on Earth range from 2 million to 50 million.
Animal group
Number of species
Vertebrates
Amphibians
6,199
Birds
9,956
Fish
30,000
Mammals
5,416
Reptiles
8,240
Subtotal
59,811
Invertebrates
Insects
950,000
Molluscs
81,000
Crustaceans
40,000
Corals
2,175
Others
130,200
Subtotal
1,203,375
Plants
Mosses
15,000
Ferns and allies
13,025
Gymnosperms
980
Dicotyledons
199,350
Monocotyledons
59,300
Green Algae
3,715
Red Algae
5,956
Subtotal
297,326
Others
Lichens
10,000
Mushrooms
16,000
Brown Algae
2,849
Subtotal
28,849
Total
1,589,361
Source: The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) 2007 Red List.
Science and machines - Scientific and technological development since 1800
Modern railroads, electric lights, airplanes and automobiles: these are just some of the notable 19th and 20th century inventions highlighted in this exhibition. During this time of rapid progress, the potential of science and technology to improve every aspect of daily life seemed to be limitless.
Handwritten correspondence with Albert Einstein, early x-rays and videos of 1930s operating theatres are among the more than 600 images, videos and historical documents brought together by the showcase.
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PHOTOGRAPHY AND RADIO
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10 Big Science and Technology Advances to Watch
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Image by Getty Images North America via @daylife
With so many remarkable things happening in the science and tech worlds, it’s hard to choose which to
Believe it or not, there are about 950,000 species of insects
No one knows for sure how many species of animals exist on Earth. In fact, some 10,000 species of animals are discovered each year, with over one and a half million species already described. Projections for the total number of species on Earth range from 2 million to 50 million.
Animal group
Number of species
Vertebrates
Amphibians
6,199
Birds
9,956
Fish
30,000
Mammals
5,416
Reptiles
8,240
Subtotal
59,811
Invertebrates
Insects
950,000
Molluscs
81,000
Crustaceans
40,000
Corals
2,175
Others
130,200
Subtotal
1,203,375
Plants
Mosses
15,000
Ferns and allies
13,025
Gymnosperms
980
Dicotyledons
199,350
Monocotyledons
59,300
Green Algae
3,715
Red Algae
5,956
Subtotal
297,326
Others
Lichens
10,000
Mushrooms
16,000
Brown Algae
2,849
Subtotal
28,849
Total
1,589,361
Source: The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) 2007 Red List.
Science and machines - Scientific and technological development since 1800
Modern railroads, electric lights, airplanes and automobiles: these are just some of the notable 19th and 20th century inventions highlighted in this exhibition. During this time of rapid progress, the potential of science and technology to improve every aspect of daily life seemed to be limitless.
Handwritten correspondence with Albert Einstein, early x-rays and videos of 1930s operating theatres are among the more than 600 images, videos and historical documents brought together by the showcase.
ARCHITECTURE
MECHANISATION
MEDICINE
PHOTOGRAPHY AND RADIO
NATURAL SCIENCES
TRANSPORT AND TRAVEL
10 Big Science and Technology Advances to Watch
Comment Now
Follow Comments
Image by Getty Images North America via @daylife
With so many remarkable things happening in the science and tech worlds, it’s hard to choose which to