LECTURE 4

GLOBAL LEVEL

Conservatives estimates of the existing biodiversity is ten million

species, but if estimates for insects are correct then it would be around
30 million species, we have till now enlisted about 1.4 million species.

 It includes about 98% birds, 95% reptiles and amphibians, 90% fish
and about 85% higher plants known to exist on this world.
 Biodiversity at Global level
Forms of life Known species Estimated species

Insects and other 874,161 30 millions species

arthropods
Higher plants 248,400 275,000 to 400,000

Invertebrates 116,873 Many no of species

Lower plants 73,900 Not available

Microorganisms 36,600 Not available

Fish 10,056 21,000 assuming 10%

undiscovered
Birds 9,040 Known species account
for 98% of all birds
Reptiles and Amphibians 8,962 Same

Mammals 4,000 Same

Total 1,390,992 10 millions species

 National and Local level

India has over 108,276 species of bacteria, fungi, plants and animals already identified
and described. Out of these, 84% species constitute fungi, flowering plants and insects.
In terms of the number of species, the insects alone constitute nearly half of the biodiver

These species occur on land, fresh and marine waters, or occur as symbionts in mutualisti
or parasitic state with other organisms.