Definition Of Biodiversity Hotspot
Have lost at least 70 percent of its primary native vegetation.
Definition of biodiversity hotspot. The andes mountains tropical hotspot is the world s. To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot a region must meet two strict criteria. Map ci hotspots mittermeier ra turner wr larsen fw brooks tm gascon c 2011 global biodiversity conservation. A biodiversity hotspot is a region of the earth that is extremely biologically diverse and also under severe threat due to habitat loss climate change or extensive species loss around 25 sites worldwide are recognized as such hotspots and several organizations have made efforts to protect these sites.
This however is irrespective of the identification of the area as a biodiversity hotspot. Biodiversity hotspots can include a variety of human land uses rural and urban as well as protected areas under a range of possible governance types therefore many social and or cultural values are likely to be present in some parts. What does biodiversity hotspot mean. There are over 30 recognized biodiversity hotspots in the world.
Meaning of biodiversity hotspot. Guarding these regions from further damage is considered environmentally and culturally. A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region that is both a significant reservoir of biodiversity and is threatened with destruction. A hotspot in other words is irreplaceable.
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. It must have at least 1 500 vascular plants as endemics which is to say it must have a high percentage of plant life found nowhere else on the planet. It must have 30 or less of its original natural vegetation in other words it must be threatened.
The critical role of hotspots. Earth s biologically richest and most endangered terrestrial ecoregions and a paper published in. Biodiversity hotspots acronyms areas countries marine terms definition large regions containing exceptional concentrations of plant endemism and experiencing high rates of habitat loss. Information and translations of biodiversity hotspot in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web.
Yet biodiversity hotspots are by definition in a conservation crisis. To be classified as a biodiversity hotspot a region must have lost at least 70 percent of its original natural vegetation usually due to human activity. Biodiversity hotspots are home to unique flora and fauna most of which are endemic to the particular environment. Many of the biodiversity hotspots exceed the two criteria.
Norman myers wrote about the concept in two articles in the environmentalist 1988 and 1990 revised after thorough analysis by myers and others hotspots.