Chapter 3 Opener

Figure 3.1 The current extent of tropical forests, and the areas that have been cleared of tropical forests

Figure 3.2 Coral reefs are built up from the skeletons of billions of tiny individual animals

Figure 3.3 Numbers of amphibian (A) and bird (B) species in S. A. are greatest just south of the Equator in western Amazon. (C) Certain areas are characterized by high species concentrations

Figure 3.3 Numbers of amphibian (A) and bird (B) species in S. A. are greatest just south of the Equator in western Amazon

Figure 3.3 (C) Certain areas are characterized by high species concentrations

Figure 3.4 Number of species of coral reef organisms, including fish, corals, snails, and crustaceans, found in different regions of the world

Figure 3.5 (A) Approximately 1.5 million species have been identified and described. (B) Estimates of described and undescribed species

Figure 3.5 (A) Approximately 1.5 million species have been identified and described

Figure 3.5 (B) Estimates of described and undescribed species

Figure 3.6 Researchers first encountered Laonastes aenigmamus being sold as a delicacy in Laos

Figure 3.7 (A) An entomologist checks sheet containing fallen insects and leaves. (B) An inflatable platform base is placed in the canopy

Box 3.1 Conserving a World Unknown: Hydrothermal Vents and Oil Plumes

Figure 3.8 (A) A researcher uses insecticidal fog to sample the insect species. (B) A researcher begins the process of sorting, describing, and identifying the insects

Figure 3.9 A new phylum, the Cycliophora, was first described in 1995