The document discusses biodiversity hotspots, which are defined as regions that contain at least 1,500 vascular plant species and have lost at least 70% of their original habitat. These 34 hotspots account for only 2.3% of the Earth's land but are home to over 50% of plant and 40% of land vertebrate species. The hotspots are threatened by unsustainable consumption in northern countries and extreme poverty in tropical regions. The document lists the major biodiversity hotspots around the world.

1. Biodiversity Hotspots
“The most remarkable places on
Earth are also the most
threatened.”
By
B Shravani

2. Definition
• Contain at least
1,500 species of
vascular plants
• Has lost at least
70 percent of its
original habitat.

3. Causes
• Unsustainable
Consumption in
northern
countries
• Extreme poverty
in Tropics

4. Biodiversity Hot-Spots
The hots pots repres ent an opportunity
to help cons erve the divers ity of life on earth

5. The List
• These 34 hot
spots account for
2.3% of the
Earth’s land
area, yet over
50% of Earth’s
plants and 40%
of its land
vertebrates.

6. The List (cont.)
• North and Central
America
• California Floristic Province
• Caribbean Islands
• Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands
• Mesoamerica

7. The List (cont.)
• South America
• Atlantic Forest
• Cerrado
• Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivi
• Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena
• Tropical Andes

8. The List (cont.)
• Africa
• Cape Floristic Region
• Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa
• Eastern Afromontane
• Guinean Forests of West Africa
• Horn of Africa
•
Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands
• Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany
• Succulent Karoo

9. A Few Helpful Definitions
• Unique - Applying exclusively to an area.
• Endemic - Native to a certain region.
• Keystone species - central supporting
element of a whole ecosystem; removal
may have far reaching consequences.
• Terrestrial – On land.