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Environment and Ecology
Biodiversity Hotspots:
Meaning, Criteria & More
Last updated on August 22nd, 2024 Posted on August
21, 2024 by NEXT IAS Team 44800
Biodiversity Hotspots, or Biological Diversity
Hotspots, are invaluable reservoirs of life on Earth,
representing regions of immense ecological, genetic,
and cultural importance. Their conservation is crucial
for maintaining global biodiversity and ensuring the
sustainability of ecosystem services that humanity
relies on. This article aims to study in detail the
concept of Biodiversity Hotspots (Biological Diversity
Hotspots), its meaning, criteria, and the list of hotspots
in India and the world.
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What is Biodiversity
Hotspot?
Biodiversity Hotspots refer to biogeographic
regions that are both a significant reservoir of
biodiversity and are threatened with destruction.
In other words, they are regions that are both
rich in biodiversity and significantly
threatened by human activities.
These areas are critical for conservation efforts
due to their high levels of endemic species, which
are species found nowhere else on Earth.
Evolution of Concept of
Biodiversity Hostspots
1988: Biodiversity Hotspot as an idea was first
developed by Norman Myers in 1988.
1989: Conservation International (CI) adopted
Myers’ hotspots as its institutional blueprint in
1989.
1999: In 1999, Conservation International (CI)
carried out a thorough global assessment that
established quantitative criteria for designating
hotspots of biological diversity.
Criteria for Qualification as
Biodiversity Hotspots
To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must
fulfil the following two strict criteria:
Endemism: It must have at least 1,500 vascular
plants as endemics (> 0.5% of the world’s total) —
i.e. it must have a high percentage of plant species
found nowhere else on the planet
A hotspot, in other words, is irreplaceable.
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Threat Level: It must have lost 70% or more of its
original natural vegetation
In other words, it must have only 30% or less
of its original natural vegetation.
Biodiversity Hotspots in
World
Currently, there are 36 biodiversity hotspots in the
world.
Most of them occur in tropical forests.
They represent just 2.3% of Earth’s land surface.
They contain around 50% of the world’s endemic
plant species and 43% of all terrestrial
vertebrates.
Biodiversity Hotspots in India
There are 4 biodiversity hotspots in India, as
mentioned below.
The Eastern Himalayas,
Western Ghats & Sri Lanka,
Indo-Burma, and
Sundaland.
Eastern Himalayas
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This region includes parts of Nepal, Bhutan, and
northeastern India, harbouring species like the red
panda and the snow leopard.
Index
Western Ghats & Sri Lanka
Stretching along the western coast, this region is
known for its unique flora and fauna, including
endangered species like the Nilgiri Tahr and Lion-tailed
Macaque.
Indo-Burma
Extending across northeast India, Myanmar, and parts
of Southeast Asia, it is rich in amphibians, birds, and
reptiles.
Sundaland
Including the Nicobar Islands, this region is known for
its marine biodiversity and unique terrestrial species.
Attributes of Indian Hotspots
of Biodiversity
Attribut Hotspots
es
Himalay Indo- W. Sundala
a Burma Ghats & nd
Sri
Lanka
Hotspot 741,706 2,373,05 189,611 1501,06
original 7 3
extent
(km2)
Hotspot 185,427 118,653 43,611 10,0571
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vegetati
on
remaini
ng
(km2)
Endemic 3160 7,000 3,049 15,000
plant
species
Endemic 8 18 10 43
threaten
ed birds
Endemic 4 25 14 60
threaten
ed
mamma
ls
Endemic 4 35 87 59
threaten
ed
amphibi
ans
Extinct 0 1 20 4
species*
Human 123 134 261 153
populati
on
density
(people/
km2)
Area 112.578 235,758 26,130 179,723
protecte
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d (km2)
Area 77,739 132,283 21,259 77,408
protecte
d (km2)
in
categori
es I-IV**
*Recorded extinction since 1500., **Categories l-IV
afford higher levels of protection.
Threats to Biological
Diversity Hotspots
Despite their ecological significance, these hotspots of
biodiversity face numerous threats, as described
below:
Habitat Destruction: Deforestation, urbanisation,
and agricultural expansion lead to the loss of
critical habitats.
Climate Change: Altered temperature and
precipitation patterns affect species distributions
and ecosystem dynamics.
Pollution: Industrial activities, pesticide use, and
plastic waste severely impact biodiversity.
Invasive Species: Non-native species can
outcompete, prey on, or bring diseases to native
species, disrupting the ecosystem balance.
Overexploitation: Unsustainable hunting, fishing,
and logging deplete species populations and
degrade habitats.
Conclusion
Biodiversity hotspots or Biological Diversity Hotspots
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hold ecological, genetic, and cultural importance.
Conserving these areas is essential for preserving
global biodiversity and sustaining crucial ecosystem
services. Addressing the threats and implementing
effective conservation strategies can safeguard these
crucial natural treasures.
Frequently Asked Question
(FAQ)
Who coined the term biodiversity
hotspot?
The term “biodiversity hotspot” was coined by
Norman Myers in 1988.
GS - 3
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