Biodiversity - Hotspots of Biodiversity
Origin of Life and Biodiversity Evolution | Benefits
of Biodiversity | Ecological
Role of Biodiversity
Economic Role of Biodiversity | Ethical
Role of Biodiversity | Scientific
Role of Biodiversity | Measurement
of Biodiversity
Biodiversity: Time and Space | Species
Inventory | Hotspots of Biodiversity | Threats
to Biodiversity
Biodiversity Management: Conservation,
Preservation and Protection | Juridical
Status of Biological Diversity
Hotspots of Biodiversity
One definition of a biodiversity hotspot is a region with many endemic species. Hotspots tend to occur in areas of historically limited human impact and are generally very productive. As a result of the pressures of the growing human population, human activity in many of these areas is increasing dramatically. Most of these hotspots are located in the tropics.
Some examples are:
Brazil is said to represent 1/5 of the world biodiversity, with 50,000 plant species, 5,000 vertebrates, 10-15 million insects, millions of microorganisms, etc.
India is said to represent 8% of the recorded species, with 47,000 plants species and 81,000 animals.
From Wikipedia.