ZOOLOGY

It is challenging to provide an exact and up-to-date number for the current rate of species on Earth. The total number of species on our planet is not precisely known and is a subject of ongoing research. Scientists estimate that there could be millions of species on Earth, but the majority of them remain undiscovered…

Extinction is a natural process that has occurred throughout the history of life on our planet. However, the current rate of species extinction is far higher than the natural background rate, primarily due to human activities. Here are some key points about the extinction of species: Natural Extinction: Throughout Earth’s history, many species have gone…

An endangered species is any plant, animal, fungus, microbe, or other organism that faces the risk of extinction. The primary reasons species become endangered are habitat loss and genetic variation loss. Natural Causes of Habitat Loss: Habitat loss can occur naturally over time. For example, dinosaurs lost their habitat approximately 66 million years ago. The…

Conducting a baseline study for any designated category, such as a specific ecosystem, region, or project area, involves systematically collecting and documenting relevant data to establish a comprehensive understanding of the current conditions and key characteristics. Here are the steps to carry out a baseline study: A well-executed baseline study serves as a foundation for…

Preparing an inventory of fauna (animal species) in a given region is a systematic process that involves collecting data on the various species present. Here are the steps to prepare such an inventory:

Local species extinction, referring to the disappearance of a species from a specific geographic area, can be attributed to various factors. Here are some common causes of local species extinction: A field excursion focused on biodiversity is a valuable opportunity to explore and study the variety of species and ecosystems in their natural habitats. Here’s…

The Importance of Biodiversity Biodiversity, which encompasses genes, species, and ecosystems, provides society with a diverse range of goods and services that are essential for human well-being. These components of biodiversity—whether used directly, indirectly, or as potential resources—are often referred to as “biological resources” (McNeely et al., 1990; Reid & Miller, 1989; Wood, 1997). Direct…

Seawater intrusion (SI) is an ecological problem caused by the encroachment and infiltration of salt water (typically brackish water or seawater) into freshwater surface and groundwater supplies in coastal areas. This intrusion can transform landscapes, reduce agricultural viability, and contaminate freshwater reserves. It is a growing issue in numerous coastal regions worldwide, including China’s Yangtze…

An invasive species is any nonnative organism that significantly alters or disrupts the ecosystems it colonizes. While some species migrate naturally, human activities such as global commerce and the pet trade have become the primary means by which invasive plants, animals, microbes, and other organisms are transported to new habitats. Most introduced species fail to…

Over the past 50 years, the natural world has undergone unprecedented change, leading to devastating consequences. Today, nearly one million species face extinction, threatening essential ecosystem services such as disease regulation and pollination. The primary drivers of biodiversity loss include land and sea use changes, overexploitation of organisms, climate change, pollution, and the introduction of…

Biodiversity, the variety of life across genes, species, and ecosystems, is crucial for ecosystem stability and human well-being. Unfortunately, biodiversity is depleting at an alarming rate due to various natural and human-induced factors.Biodiversity loss refers to the decline in biological diversity within species, ecosystems, geographic regions, or the entire Earth. Biodiversity encompasses genetic variation, species…

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including all species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, as well as the ecosystems they form. It is essential for maintaining ecological balance, sustaining life-supporting systems, and providing resources necessary for human survival. Conservation, on the other hand, refers to the efforts made to protect, restore,…

Systematics: The term “systematics” is derived from the word “systema,” meaning the systematic arrangement of organisms. It considers the evolutionary relationships among organisms. Plant systematics, in particular, deals with the interrelations between plants and their evolutionary descent. Systematics studies biological diversity and organizes this information into a classification system. Organisms are classified based on similarities,…

Taxonomy, the science of classifying organisms, has evolved over centuries from simple groupings based on observable traits to complex systems incorporating evolutionary relationships and molecular data. The history of taxonomy can be divided into distinct phases, each marked by significant contributions from naturalists and scientists. 1. Early Classification Systems (Pre-Linnaean Period) a. Ancient Taxonomy (Aristotle…