Biodiversity hotspots: Location & Criteria
Q. Which of the following are biodiversity hotspots?
1. Eastern ghats
2. Western ghats
3. Horn of Africa
4. Eastern Himalaya
5. Caribbean Islands- Published on 21 Oct 15a. 1,2,4
b. 2,4,5
c. 2,3,4,5
d. All
ANSWER: 2,3,4,5
- A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans.
- To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot
- Region must contain at least 0.5% or 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics
- It has to have lost at least 70% of its primary vegetation.
- Around the world, 34 areas qualify under this definition, with nine other possible candidates.
- These sites support nearly 60% of the world's plant, bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species, with a very high share of endemic species.
