Net encyclopedia to list all plants, animals

May 9, 2007 | Source: Reuters

All 1.8 million known plant and animal species will be listed in an Internet-based free “Encyclopedia of Life” under a $100 million project.

There might be 8 million to 10 million species on Earth, according to project organizers; estimates range from 5 million to 100 million. Fossil species may also be added.

The encyclopedia could help chart threats to species from pollution, habitat destruction and global warming.