Biodiversity hotspots are regions of the world that are home to a high number of species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. These areas are often threatened by human activities such as habitat destruction, over-exploitation, and climate change, and are therefore a priority for conservation efforts. There are currently 36 identified biodiversity hotspots around the world, and here are a few examples:
The Tropical Andes: This region, which covers parts of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile, is home to a staggering number of species, including over 45,000 plant species and more than 1,500 bird species. It is also home to many endangered species, such as the Andean bear and the mountain tapir. The main threats to this hotspot are habitat destruction due to agriculture and mining, as well as climate change.
The Atlantic Forest: Located in Brazil, this hotspot is home to over 20,000 plant species and more than 1,000 bird species. It is also home to many endangered species, such as the jaguar and the golden lion tamarin. The main threats to this hotspot are habitat destruction due to agriculture, urbanization, and logging, as well as climate change.
The Cape Floristic Region: This hotspot is located in South Africa and is home to over 9,000 plant species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. It is also home to many endangered species, such as the mountain zebra and the black rhinoceros. The main threats to this hotspot are habitat destruction due to agriculture, urbanization, and logging, as well as climate change.
The Sundaland: This hotspot is located in Southeast Asia and is home to over 20,000 plant species and more than 3,000 bird species. It is also home to many endangered species, such as the Sumatran elephant and the orangutan. The main threats to this hotspot are habitat destruction due to agriculture, urbanization, and logging, as well as climate change.
Conserving biodiversity hotspots is essential for maintaining the health and balance of the planet's ecosystems. Many of the species found in these areas play important roles in maintaining the health of the ecosystems they inhabit, and their loss could have significant consequences. Therefore, it is important that we work to protect these areas and the species that call them home.
Biodiversity Hotspots Defined
However, there are approximately 11,300 vascular plants in Europe. For example, the now-extinct Dodo bird was endemic to Mauritius, a small island in the Indian Ocean. While we do not have direct evidence of what caused their extinction, most researchers believe that overharvesting of wildlife by humans played a decisive role in many extinctions. A concept that serves as the foundation for biodiversity management is the concept of biodiversity loss and biodiversity conservation. Biodiversity is necessary for robust ecosystems. A healthy ecosystem has a rich level of biodiversity.
In: Zachos FE, Habel JC eds Biodiversity hotspots: distribution and protection of conservation priority areas. We have already lost vast areas of natural life and we are becoming worried for very good reason. This ecosystem differs from one another due to the differences in their habitats and the differences in their species. The biological hotspot was once covered with 1. Food: They provide food sources for many species and humankind. Springer, Heidelberg The following list is of 36 Hotspots classified according to Continents; followed by North and Central America These continents play host to thousands and thousands of acres of important habitats.
Fig: Nilgiri Tahr 4. As many as 44% of all species of vascular plants and 35% of all species in four vertebrate groups are confined to 25 hotspots comprising only 1. The area is also rich in human cultural diversity as it is home to 40 indigenous groups. Should something drastic happen to affect the health of this bacteria and it becomes extinct, there is no other organism to take advantage of this inhospitable environment. Hawaii, Iceland, and Yellowstone National Park are just a few examples of such hotspots. Tourist visits are also allowed in these areas. In this conservation process, artificial conditions are created to make their habitat almost like a natural habitat.
Hence it is very important to conserve these species and their ecosystems which are threatened by many human activities. In February 2016, the North American Coastal Plain was recognized as meeting the criteria and became the Earth's 36th hotspot. The Tropical Andes covers a range of diverse landscapes including snow-capped mountains, tropical rainforests, cloud forests, lush canyons with magnificent waterfalls cascading into deep ravines, grassland valleys and woodland forests. Approximately 9,000 species of It is home to 917 bird species, 107 reptile species and 269 amphibian species. The magma plume causes melting and thinning of the rocky crust and widespread volcanic activity. We need intact ecosystems to provide fresh air. Walker's Mammals of the World Johns Hopkins Univ.
Grazing is another major reason for that clearance. Instead of having a group of The newest ecosystem — the city The Threat of Pollution We have already discussed the dramatic effects of deforestation upon the climate and biodiversity. The region is also home to around 450 species of birds, 140 mammals, 260 reptiles and 175 amphibians. The landscapes of the region which have undergone historical or evolutionary deterioration can be reinstated. Regional numbers of insect and plant species. Cerrado, Brazil The area of Cerrado in Brazil is the largest woodland savannah in South America. The Malabar Large Spotted Civet, Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri Tahr, and The Bengal Tiger are a few threatened species found in this region.
Benefits of Biodiversity Species can have instrumental or intrinsic inherent value. Extreme logging has resulted in the loss of 80% of the woodlands original natural cover. Sadly, these biodiversity hotspots have been losing 86% of their habitats some of which are still on the verge of extinction due to serious threats posed by climate change and human intervention. Over many years, they have adapted to the microclimate and the other species there. Different methods of In-situ conservation include biosphere reserves, national parks, It is defined as the conservation of species within their natural habitat, where the natural ecosystem is protected and maintained.
Other species such as monkeys, langurs, and gibbons can be found here with a population of less than a hundred. Today, species are going extinct at the fastest rate since the mass extinction of the dinosaurs. This change was due to genetic mutations which allowed them to move from aquatic into marine ecosystems, and so increase the biodiversity of a different region and ensure the survival of the species. It puts additional stress on natural resources. Ans: The Sundaland is a biodiversity hotspot located in South-East Asia and includes Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia. Biodiversity hotspots are the biogeographic region with significant levels of biodiversity that are under threat with destruction. It should comprise at least 1500 species of vascular plants i.
T heir rituals and behaviorisms cannot be replicated. Also, the breaking up of Pangaea into separate continents has fostered an explosion in the number of species on Earth. Around the world, 36 areas qualify as hotspots. To be more specific, it denotes the total species present in a specific ecosystem. It has been notably extended in recent times to the Magdalena Valley in northern Colombia. In situ conservation involves the management of biodiversity in the same area where it is found.
Geographic distribution of endangered species in the United States. Genetic diversity of corn kernel colors Species Diversity Species diversity relates to numbers and spread — how many different species live in an ecosystem and how are they distributed? It is to make sure that ecological integrity is intact. The hotspots provide crucial ecosystem services for human life, such as the provision of clean water, pollination and climate regulation besides supporting rich biodiversity. They are like: 1. Recreation tourism is also permitted.
