Why don't scientists know the exact number of species that have lived on earth

If we review the changes in the landscape surrounding the great salt lake in utah we can see a change in topography. look at the area to the south of the lake. what change has occurred during the last twenty-nine years? a) erosion of the hills b) an increase in marshland c) flooding of the area and the development of wetlands d) deposition of sediments and an increase in elevation