Scientists have recognized and named over one million animal species, and there are thousands and thousands extra but to be found throughout Earth’s seven continents. However which continent has probably the most animal species? For a whole bunch of years, scientists have been cataloging and geolocating species throughout the globe. Previous to the digital age, most of our details about species distribution got here from museum collections, stated Vítor Piacentini, an ornithologist on the Federal College of Mato Grosso in Brazil. These days, the general public additionally contributes to this effort.Prior to now 20 years, there was a “revolution” in citizen science, Piacentini informed Dwell Science, and “scientists are utilizing their knowledge to fill the gaps.”Utilizing this info, scientists can map the distribution of species worldwide. Within the late Eighties, scientist Norman Myers coined the time period “biodiversity hotspot” to consult with locations with an exceptionally excessive variety of species for his or her floor space. Of the now 36 hotspots worldwide, most are in continents that cross the equator, the place the local weather is heat and humid.The explanation for this has to don’t simply with animals but additionally with vegetation. “Crops are the muse of species,” Barnabas Daru, an utilized ecologist at Stanford College, informed Dwell Science. “If a spot has a better range of vegetation, it makes it simpler for different organisms that rely upon these vegetation to grow to be extra ample.” Associated: Which group of animals has probably the most species? Though vegetation can dwell in all types of circumstances, most thrive in heat, humid locations. The humidity and heat work collectively to offer important moisture: Heat air traps water molecules to create humidity. Heat can also be higher for a lot of microorganisms, particularly the decomposers, which break down lifeless materials that the vegetation harvest for vitamins. Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.On prime of all this, bugs, which pollinate many flowering vegetation, are higher suited to hotter climates as a result of they cannot regulate their very own physique temperature. Having extra bugs within the tropics means extra pollination for vegetation and extra meals for hungry predators, Daru stated. A squirrel monkey sits within the tree cover of the Amazon rainforest. These animals are discovered solely in Central and South America. (Picture credit score: Valmol48 by way of Getty Photos)However Piancentini famous that different components are additionally at play. To accommodate numerous species, a continent should provide not solely tropical circumstances but additionally quite a lot of habitats. Locations with excessive biodiversity have many potential niches for animals to occupy, Piacentini stated. For instance, tall bushes or excessive mountains create vertical variation in temperature, solar publicity and terrain that permit extra critters to coexist with out competing for a similar sources or habitat.Based mostly on these components and estimates utilizing museum and citizen science knowledge, most scientists agree that South America has the very best variety of animal species. From the Amazon rainforest, which has 4 tree story layers for animals to occupy, to the Andes mountains with dozens of various microclimates, South America has the successful mix of warmth and geography. “Every part’s mixed there,” Piancentini stated, “and that is why it has the biodiversity [that it does].” That stated, South America’s biodiversity could not at all times be as vibrant as it’s now. With deforestation, mercury mining and local weather change, South America’s animals are going through extra threats than ever earlier than. There’s nonetheless a chance to mitigate the harm, nevertheless.”We will definitely lose numerous species,” Piacentini stated, “however each effort that we make to cut back our influence will save us rather a lot as effectively.”