Why Is It So Difficult to Estimate How Many Species

question 49

Multiple Choice

Why is it so difficult to estimate how many species of insects there are on the Earth?

• A) There is no central repository for information on new species on Earth.
• B) New species continue to be discovered and other species go extinct.
• C) Different methods of estimating numbers yield widely varied results.
• D) All of these are valid reasons.
• E) No estimate is necessary because a good approximation of the number of insect species is sufficient.

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Definitions:

Lower-Income Nations

Countries characterized by low levels of income per capital, limited industrialization, and relatively low standards of living and education.

Gender Inequality Index

A measure used to assess the disparities in achievements between women and men in three dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment, and the labor market.

Literacy

The ability to read and write at a level that enables individual participation in society, access to information, and continued learning.

Newly Industrializing Countries

Nations that are experiencing rapid economic growth and industrialization, often marked by a shift from agricultural-based to industrial and service-based economies.