Biodiversity Hotspots

BIODIVERSITY The range of plant, animal, and microbe life forms that can be found on Earth, as well as the ecosystems that are created by these life forms, is referred to as biodiversity. An ecosystem is a collective name for all of the living species that coexist in one area as part of a harmonious community, influencing both one another and the physical surroundings in which they dwell.

A region must satisfy not one, but two stringent requirements in order to be considered a biodiversity hotspot: It must have at least 1,500 vascular plants that are endemic, which means that it must have a significant percentage of plant life that is found nowhere else on the earth. In other words, it must be unique. In other terms, a hotspot is something that cannot be replicated.

A biogeographic region with considerable levels of biodiversity that is endangered by human occupation is referred to as a biodiversity hotspot.

Biodiversity hotspot

There are now 36 areas that are considered to be rich in biodiversity. These are the terrestrial regions of the Earth that contain the greatest diversity of life, despite the fact that they are in danger. A region needs to fulfil two very specific requirements before it can be considered a biodiversity hotspot: At least 1,500 different species of vascular plants can be found here that can be found nowhere else on Earth (known as “endemic” species). If a region includes at least 0.5 percent of its own endemic plant species, then that region is referred to as a hotspot. Because of the enormous variety of living things that can be discovered across India, from the eastern to the western ghats and all the way up to the northern and southern regions, India is known as a mega-diversity hotspot. At this time, the Western Ghats pose the greatest threat.

Hotspots such as Hawaii, Iceland, and Yellowstone National Park are some examples. Because the location of a hotspot on the surface of the Earth is not affected by the boundaries between tectonic plates, hotspots have the potential to set off a chain reaction of volcanic eruptions whenever tectonic plates move above them.

Biodiversity Hotspot Of India

The variety of plant and animal species that coexist in a particular ecosystem is referred to as the habitat’s biodiversity. The most important aspects of biodiversity are species distribution and the number of different species.

The country of India is well-known for its abundant biodiversity, and around 24.46 percent of its total landmass is covered by forests and other types of trees.

The phrase “biodiversity hotspots,” which was first articulated by Norman Myers, refers to geographic areas that are renowned for the high number of unique species that are native to them.

In order to be considered a hotspot by Conservation International, a region needs to demonstrate that it satisfies both of the following criteria:

The area should be home to at least 1,500 different species of vascular plants; in other words, it should have a high level of endemism.

If it does not include more than 30 percent of its native habitat, then it is considered to be in a threatened status.

According to the criteria that must be met for a region to be designated as a Biodiversity Hotspot, India is home to four of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots:

• The Himalayas

• Indo-Burma Region

• The Western Ghats

• Sundaland

The Himalayas

North-East India, Bhutan, and the central and eastern regions of Nepal are included in the general range of the Himalayas, which is widely recognised as the highest mountain range on the planet. This area (the Northeast Himalayas) holds the record for having the most endangered species, with 163, including the Wild Asian Water Buffalo and the One-horned Rhino. It also has the highest number of plant species, with as many as 10,000, of which 3,160 are native to the region. This mountain range encompasses close to 750 000 km2 in total area.

Indo – Burma Region

The Indo-Burma Region encompasses a total area of 2,373,000 km2 of land and water. Six different species of large mammals, including the Large-antlered Muntjac, the Annamite Muntjac, the Grey-shanked Douc, the Annamite Striped Rabbit, the Leaf Deer, and the Saola, have been discovered in this region during the course of the past 12 years.

Additionally, this hotspot is famous for its endemic freshwater turtle species, the majority of which are in danger of extinction as a result of excessive hunting and the destruction of their natural environment. In addition, there are more than 1,300 distinct kinds of birds, some of which are endangered, such as the White-eared Night-heron, the Grey-crowned Crocias, and the Orange-necked Partridge.

The Western Ghats

The Western Ghats are a mountain range that runs along the peninsular coast of India and encompasses the vast majority of the country’s evergreen and deciduous forests respectively. According to UNESCO, it is home to at least 325 species of flora, fauna, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish that are in danger of extinction on a worldwide scale. This region’s vegetation used to cover a total area of 190 000 km2, but it has since been reduced to 4 300 000 km2 due to human activity. In addition, this area is well-known for its globally endangered plant and animal species, including 229 plant species, 31 mammal species, 15 bird species, 43 amphibian species, 5 reptile species, and 1 fish species. “Of the total 325 globally threatened species in the Western Ghats, 129 are classed as Vulnerable, 145 as Endangered, and 51 as Critically Endangered,” according to UNESCO.

Aspirants who have a thorough understanding of the Western Ghats would have an advantage when it comes to the preparation for the Geography exam.

Sundaland

South-East Asia is the location of the Sundaland hotspot, which encompasses the countries of Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia. In the year 2013, the United Nations designated Sundaland as a World Biosphere Reserve. This honour was bestowed upon the region. This area is well-known for the abundance of both its terrestrial and marine ecosystems. There are 25,000 species of vascular plants in Sundaland, 15,000 of which are unique to this region, making it one of the biologically richest hotspots in the world. Sundaland is a biologically rich hotspot.

Examples of hotspot

The Himalayas, the Western Ghats, the Indo-Burma region, and the Sundaland are the four areas of India that have been recognised as being among the world’s 36 most important areas for biological variety.

• The following are seven areas of particularly high biodiversity:

• The Caribbean Islands

• The Atlantic Forest in Brazil

• Southeast Asia

• The Philippines

• The Horn of Africa

• Madagascar

• The California Coast

Conclusion

In light of the fact that it is impossible to preserve all of the world’s biodiversity due to a lack of resources, worldwide conservation agencies have turned to it as the most effective strategy for reducing the number of species that are becoming extinct on a global scale.

Because humans use the vast majority of the resources provided by biodiversity, it is primarily their responsibility to preserve and protect biodiversity in order to safeguard the planet. It is essential that there be a diversity of species, ecosystems, and environments, and that the expansion of life on earth is maintained across time.