What are biodiversity hotspots and where are they located?
These are Earth’s most biologically rich—yet threatened—terrestrial regions. To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, an area must meet two strict criteria: Contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants found nowhere else on Earth (known as “endemic” species).
Where are the hotspots found?
Most of these are located under plate interiors (for example, the African Plate), but some occur near diverging plate boundaries. Some are concentrated near the mid-oceanic ridge system, such as beneath Iceland, the Azores, and the Galapagos Islands. A few hotspots are thought to exist below the North American Plate.
What is biodiversity hotspot example?
Biodiversity hotspots are regions that are both biologically fertile (rich distribution of plants and animals) and highly threatened. … Examples of biodiversity hotspots are forest habitats as they constantly face destruction and degradation due to illegal logging, pollution and deforestation.
Is the Amazon rainforest a biodiversity hotspot?
South America is home to biodiversity hotspots with a variety of flora and fauna. The Amazon rainforest in South America is the world’s largest and most biodiverse tropical rainforest. … A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a great diversity of flora and fauna that is at risk of destruction.
Which are the hotspots found in India?
India hosts 4 biodiversity hotspots: the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, the Indo-Burma region and the Sundaland (Includes Nicobar group of Islands). These hotspots have numerous endemic species.
Is the biodiversity hotspot region?
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region that is both a significant reservoir of biodiversity and is threatened with destruction. The term biodiversity hotspot specifically refers to 25 biologically rich areas around the world that have lost at least 70 percent of their original habitat.
How many biodiversity hotspots are there in Pakistan?
As a consequence of these geographical and climatic factors, Pakistan has been divided into 10 major ecological or vegetative zones.