Biodiversity Hotspot

This is the Biodiversity Hotspot

Biodiversity Hotspot are region that contain a high level of species diversity, many endemic species(species not found anywhere else in the world) and a significant number of threatened or endangered species.

This is the example of Biodiversity Hotspot in the Regions

The Southern Appalachian Mountains are one of the most biodiverse temperate regions on the continent. They’re known for their rich hardwood forests, which contain a greater diversity of tree species than in the whole of Europe. These forests are inhabited by a stunning array of plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. The freshwater ecosystems within this region harbor significant numbers of freshwater fish and endangered mussels. These streams and forests are also home to the highest level of salamander diversity in the world including North America’s largest salamander, the Eastern Hellbender. The mountains are also an important migratory corridor for birds and provide essential habitats for imperiled bats. From green salamanders, Carolina Northern flying squirrels, spruce-fir moss spiders, Appalachian elktoe mussels, bog turtles, cerulean warblers and more, this region is a stronghold for biodiversity.

7 Biodiversity Hotspot You Should Know

• The Caribbean Island
• The Atlantic Forest In Brazil
• Southeast Asia
• The Philippines
• The Horn of Africa
• Madagascar 
• The California Coast

1.  THE CARIBBEAN ISLAND

- Haiti, and  the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Jamaica, The British, and US Virgin Islands, the Bahamas, and all the nearby islands. Unhealthy soil and climate change are threatening the region`s forest health, and more frequent natural disaster are endangering species like the black capped petrel. 

  

     2.  THE ATLANTIC FOREST IN BRAZIL

- The mountain ranges and surrounding woods on Brazil`s east coast support a wide variety of species. The Amazon does not technically fit the definition of a biodiversity hotspot, despite being a key habitat for a variety of species and a large source of carbon absorption. Nevertheless, Brazil is an important country for conservation because of the two regions. The state of ecology is greatly influenced by rural farmers, just like in many of these hotspot, They play an important role in preserving biodiversity.

     3. SOUTHEAST ASIA

- This area covers a huge geographic area. Huge tracts of lush rainforest stretch between the coast of Vietnam and Western India. This region is home to numerous indigenous people in Thailand and Myanmar, many of whom have historically depended on the forest for their subsistence. Ending the deforestation catastrophe in this region ultimately depends on people living in harmony with the forest, wildlife, and one another.

    4. THE PHILIPPINES

- Rich Biodiversity  is made possible by the Philippines more than 7,000 islands. More than one-third of the almost 600b native bird species that have been identified are unique to the Philippines. The vast and varies marine life that exists between islands is also a part of this biodiversity. Despite this, several species have been threatened by deforestation. This includes the Philippine eagle, which is country`s emblem.

    5. THE HORN OF AFRICA

-  The projection continental mass that circle the Arabian Peninsula is known as the Horn of Africa.  It includes Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti. Desertification in this area is currently getting worse. The Ethiopian Church`s effort to conserve forest space have been crucial in preserving the species that remains there. The threats of food in security in this area is also made worse by these similar difficulties.

    6.  MADAGASCAR

- Madagascar is home to several unusual animal species as well as some distinctive succulent wood. Through many are currently in danger, the relatives seclusion off the coast of Africa provides special circumstances for a variety of species to flourish. One of the biggest dangers to the indigenous plant life has been the decline in rainfall. Neighbouring islands in the Indian Ocean are equally vulnerable.

 

 

    7. THE CALIFORNIA COAST

- The California Coast is home to some of the most diverse plant and bird species in the world, despite its amazing views, climate, and expensive cost of living. From the Northern tip of Baja California, this hotspot extends up the whole California coast. As it advance northward, it becomes wider and includes a little portion of southeast Oregon. Redwood and giants sequoias are two of the most beloved tree species. Under the special circumstances of constant for, coastal plants group flourish. 

Why Do Biodiversity Hotspots Matter?

Conservation International was a pioneer in defining and promoting the concept of hotspots. In 1989, just one year after scientist Norman Myers wrote the paper that introduced the hotspots concept, Conservation International adopted the idea of protecting these incredible places as the guiding principle of our investments. For nearly two decades thereafter, hotspots were the blueprint for our work.

Today, our mission has expanded beyond the protection of hotspots. We recognize that it is not enough to protect species and places; for humanity to survive and thrive, the protection of nature must be a fundamental part of every human society.

Yet the hotspots remain important in our work for two important reasons:

• Biodiversity underpins all life on Earth. Without species, there would be no air to breathe, no food to eat, no water to drink. There would be no human society at all. And as the places on Earth where the most biodiversity is under the most threat, hotspots are critical to human survival.
• The map of hotspots overlaps extraordinarily well with the map of the natural places that most benefit people. That’s because hotspots are among the richest and most important ecosystems in the world — and they are home to many vulnerable populations who are directly dependent on nature to survive. By one estimate, despite comprising 2.5% of Earth’s land surface, the forests, wetlands and other ecosystems in hotspots account for 35% of the “ecosystem services” that vulnerable human populations depend on.

Why are biodiversity hotspots important?

Biodiversity is essential for the processes that support all life on Earth, including humans. Without a wide range of animals, plants and microorganisms, we cannot have the healthy ecosystems that we rely on to provide us with the air we breathe and the food we eat. And people also value nature of itself.  

1. Wildlife supports the healthy ecosystems that we rely on.

Conservation researchers Paul R. and Anne Ehrlich posited in the 1980s that species are to ecosystems what rivets are to a plane’s wing. Losing one might not be a disaster, but each loss adds to the likelihood of a serious problem. Whether in a village in the Amazon or a metropolis like Beijing, humans depend on the services ecosystems provide, such as fresh water, pollination, soil fertility and stability, food and medicine. Ecosystems weakened by the loss of biodiversity are less likely to deliver those services, especially given the needs of an ever-growing human population.

2. Keeping biodiverse ecosystems intact helps humans stay healthy.

Research indicates that there is a close link between disease outbreaks and the degradation of nature. Seventy percent of emerging viral diseases have spread from animals to humans. In a recent analysis of disease data, scientists found that global trends like biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution and the rise in invasive species are putting humans, plants and animals at higher risk of contracting infectious diseases. When animals are driven from their habitats, and humans encroach deeper into undisturbed forests, the chances of a pathogen “spilling over” from wildlife to humans increases.

3. Biodiversity is an essential part of the solution to climate change.

In a landmark study published in 2017, a group of scientists led by Bronson Griscom, who researches natural climate solutions at Conservation International, discovered that nature can deliver at least 30 percent of the emissions reductions needed by 2030 to prevent climate catastrophe. Protecting biodiversity plays a crucial part in achieving these emissions reductions.

The destruction of forests is responsible for 11 percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans. Conserving forests prevents these gases from being released into the atmosphere. Trees and plants also store carbon in their tissue, making it even more necessary to protect them.

Some ecosystems, such as mangroves, are particularly good at storing carbon and keeping it out of the atmosphere. Forests and wetlands act as crucial buffers against extreme storms and flooding related to climate change. These complex ecosystems function best and are most resilient to climate change when their biodiversity is intact. To that end, experts are calling for the creation of protected areas aimed at conserving places with high concentrations of both climate-warming carbon and biodiversity.

4. Biodiversity is good for the economy.

At least 40 percent of the world’s economy and 80 percent of the needs of the poor are derived from biological resources.

Altogether, the food, commercial forestry and ecotourism industries could lose US$ 338 billion per year if the loss of biodiversity continues at its current pace. Around 75 percent of global food crops rely on animals and insects such as bees to pollinate them, but many of these pollinator populations are in decline which could put more than US$ 235 billion of agricultural products at risk.

Meanwhile The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) initiative estimates that global sustainable business opportunities from investing in natural resources could be worth US$ 2 trillion to 6 trillion by 2050.

Millions of people also depend on nature and wildlife for their day-to-day livelihoods. This is particularly true for struggling communities in developing countries, who often turn to high-biodiversity ecosystems as a source of food, fuel and medicine for their own use and for income.

5. Biodiversity is an integral part of culture and identity.

Species are often integral to religious, cultural and national identities. All major religions include elements of nature and 231 species serve as national symbols in 142 countries. Unfortunately, more than one-third of those species are threatened — however, conservation efforts have succeeded in protecting the bald eagle and American bison because of their role as national symbols. Protected areas, such as national parks, also provide recreation and educational resources for visitors, and biodiversity is a frequent source of inspiration for artists and designers.

This is particularly true for Indigenous communities, who maintain deep spiritual connections with nature. Yet Indigenous Peoples and local communities have long lacked a seat at the table when it comes to the fashion industry. The result: Indigenous and local knowledge not included in corporate sustainability strategies; Indigenous intellectual property not respected; and the fashion industry’s impact on Indigenous Peoples and nature is generally overlooked.

A recently launched set of principles — informed by Indigenous people and local communities and led by Conservation International, in partnership with industry group Textile Exchange — is showing the industry how to meaningfully work with Indigenous Peoples and local communities while reducing the industry’s impact on them. The goal: Protection of the biodiversity that the fashion industry benefits from, and respect for Indigenous design.

Biodiversity’ comes from two words ‘biological’, which means relating to biology or living organisms, and ‘diversity’, meaning a range of different things or variety. Biodiversity is variation at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. Biodiversity is the variety of all living things, the different plants, animals and microorganisms, the different genetic information they contain, and the varied ecosystems they form. Biodiversity is fundamentally important. It is considered by many to have intrinsic value: each species has a value and a right to exist, whether or not it is known to have value to humans.