Question

Select the correct option to fill up the blanks in the following statements:
(i) According to Robert May, the global species diversity is about __A__.
(ii) According to IUCN (2004), the total number of plant and animal species described are __B__.
(iii) India has only 2.4% of the world land area, its share of the global species diversity is __C__.

• A. (A – 7 Million), (B – Slightly less than 1.5 million), (C – 8.1%)
• B. (A – 7 Million), (B – Slightly more than 1.5 million), (C – 8.1%)
• C. (A – 1.7 Million), (B – 17-18 million), (C – 12%)
• D. (A – 70 Million), (B – 20-50 million), (C – 53%)

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Though some extreme estimates range from 20 to 50 million, Robert May with his conservative and scientifically sound estimate placed the number of global species diversity at about 7 million.

Though no clear idea of how many species are yet to be discovered and described, currently according to the IUCN (2004), the total number of plant and animal species described so far is slightly more than 1.5 million.

Although India has only 2.4 percent of the world's land area, its share is 8.1% of the global species diversity.