Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 3: Problem 11

Where are most biodiversity hotspots located?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Most biodiversity hotspots are located in tropical rainforests, island ecosystems, and regions with unique ecosystems, such as the Mediterranean Basin. The majority can be found in tropical regions such as Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Examples include the Tropical Andes, the Atlantic Forest, Mesoamerica, the Caribbean Islands, and Sundaland.

Step by step solution

01

Define Biodiversity Hotspots

Biodiversity hotspots are regions on Earth that have both a high level of biodiversity, as well as a high level of threat to this biodiversity due to human activities such as habitat destruction and climate change.
02

Identify Criteria for Biodiversity Hotspots

According to Conservation International, a biodiversity hotspot is a region that: 1. Contains at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics (meaning species that are found nowhere else in the world). 2. Has lost at least 70% of its original habitat.
03

Locate Biodiversity Hotspots

Conservation International has identified 36 biodiversity hotspots worldwide. These hotspots are located in various locations across the globe, including tropical rain forests, islands, and temperate climates. Some examples of biodiversity hotspots are: 1. The Tropical Andes (South America) 2. The Atlantic Forest (South America) 3. The Mesoamerica (Central America and Mexico) 4. The Caribbean Islands 5. The Mediterranean Basin (Southern Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East) 6. The Western Ghats and Sri Lanka (South Asia) 7. Sundaland (Southeast Asia) 8. Wallacea (Indonesia) 9. The Philippines 10. Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands
04

Answer the Question

Most biodiversity hotspots are located in tropical rainforests, island ecosystems, and regions with unique ecosystems, such as the Mediterranean Basin. While there are hotspots distributed across the world, the majority can be found in tropical regions such as Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Distinguish between intrinsic and instrumental value.

Identify the pros and cons of the single-species approach to conservation.

Use the concept of coevolution to explain why the brown tree snake is a much more devastating predator on Guam than it is in its native habitat.

Suppose a native Guam bird species began to show evasive behaviors that allowed it to avoid the brown tree snake. Describe a potential coevolution scenario that might have allowed this adaptation to eventually predominate in the population.

Does the presence of genetic diversity in a population guarantee it will be able to adapt to changes? Explain.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Environmental Science Textbooks

Energy Resources

Read Explanation

Biological Resources

Read Explanation

Environmental Research

Read Explanation

Pollution

Read Explanation

Physical Environment

Read Explanation

Environmental Policy

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free