How Many Species Are There On Earth And How Many In India?

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on earth, including the different species of plants and animals, the ecosystems they inhabit, and the genetic variation within each species. Biodiversity plays a critical role in maintaining the balance of our planet’s ecosystem and the survival of life on Earth.

Species are a group of organisms that are capable of interbreeding. They play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity by contributing to ecosystem functioning and resilience. In this article, we will learn the answer to the question “How Many Species Are There On Earth, and How Many In India?”.

How Many Species Are There On Earth And How Many In India?

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are approximately 8.7 million species on Earth, but only 1.2 million of these species have been scientifically described and cataloged. Of these 1.2 million described species, around 41,000 are considered threatened with extinction. The remaining 7.2 million species are still undiscovered and waiting to be discovered. In India, the estimated number of species is around 96,000, with around 50,000 species of plants and around 20,000 species of animals. The remaining species include fungi, bacteria, and microorganisms.

However, despite India’s rich biodiversity, many species are facing threats due to habitat loss, over-exploitation, climate change, and other human activities. For example, over one-third of India’s mammal species are considered to be at risk of extinction, including the Bengal tiger, Asian elephant, and one-horned rhinoceros.

To protect and conserve biodiversity, it is essential to understand the value and importance of biodiversity and take concrete steps to preserve it. This includes establishing protected areas, promoting sustainable use of natural resources, and reducing the threats to biodiversity, such as climate change and habitat destruction.

When it comes to the classification of species, the following is the estimated number of species in different groups:

• Invertebrates: Approximately 7.5 million species of invertebrates are estimated to be present on Earth, including insects, mollusks, and sponges.
• Vertebrates: There are around 66,000 species of vertebrates, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.
• Plants: There are around 300,000 species of plants, including flowering plants, ferns, mosses, and gymnosperms.

Category	Total Species On Earth	Total Species In India
Total Species	Millions to over a trillion	Approximately 96,000 species
Known Species	Approximately 1.5 million described, millions undiscovered	Around 70,000 described species, many more undiscovered
Endemic Species	Not applicable	Over 45,000 species found only in India
Threatened Species	Over 25,000 species assessed as threatened on the IUCN Red List	Over 7,000 species assessed as threatened on the IUCN Red List
Endangered Species	Approximately 12,000 species classified as endangered	Approximately 2,000 species classified as endangered

Conclusion – How Many Species Are There On Earth And How Many In India

In conclusion, biodiversity serves as the foundation of life on Earth which includes a vast number of species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity. Species are the essential components of biodiversity and contribute significantly to ecosystem functioning and resilience. While estimates suggest millions of species on Earth, only a fraction have been scientifically documented, highlighting the need for continued exploration and conservation efforts.

FAQs on How Many Species Are There On Earth And How Many In India

What is the Total Number of Species on Earth?

The estimated number of species on Earth is around 8.7 million.

How many Species have been Described Scientifically?

Approximately 1.5 million species have been scientifically described and documented.

How many Species are Estimated to be Present in India?

The estimated number of species in India is around 90,000.

How many Species of Invertebrates are there on Earth?

There are around 7.5 million species of invertebrates on Earth.

How many Species of Vertebrates are there on Earth?

There are around 66,000 species of vertebrates on Earth.