Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Biodiversity hotspots are biogeographic regions with significant levels of biodiversity that are threatened by human habitation. The concept was first introduced by Norman Myers in 1988 and refined in 1990. These areas are critical for global biodiversity conservation as they harbor a large proportion of Earth's species, many of which are endemic, within a relatively small land area. Identifying and prioritizing these hotspots allows for targeted conservation strategies, maximizing the impact of limited resources in protecting the planet's most endangered and species-rich ecosystems.
What are Biodiversity Hotspots?
Biodiversity hotspots are regions characterized by two strict criteria:
- Endemism: They must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants (0.5% of the world’s total) as endemics, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth.
- Threat: They must have lost at least 70% of their primary native vegetation, indicating a significant threat to their biodiversity.
Characteristics and Significance
- Irreplaceable Biodiversity: These areas hold a high concentration of unique species that would be lost forever if the hotspot is destroyed.
- High Threat Level: The substantial habitat loss indicates ongoing pressures from human activities like deforestation, agriculture, urbanization, and climate change.
- Global Conservation Priority: Despite covering only 2.5% of the Earth's land surface, biodiversity hotspots are home to over half of the world’s plant species and nearly 43% of bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species as endemics.
- Strategic Conservation: Focusing conservation efforts on these hotspots is considered a highly effective strategy to mitigate global biodiversity loss. Conservation International recognizes 36 such hotspots globally.
Indian Biodiversity Hotspots
India is home to four out of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots, reflecting its rich and threatened biological heritage:
- The Himalayas: Comprising the entire Indian Himalayan region, it is known for its unique flora and fauna, including many medicinal plants and endangered species like the snow leopard.
- Indo-Burma Region: Covers parts of Northeast India, particularly east of the Brahmaputra River. It is characterized by diverse forest types and a high degree of endemism, especially in reptiles and amphibians.
- Western Ghats: This mountain range running along India's western coast is recognized for its exceptionally high levels of species diversity and endemism, particularly for amphibians, reptiles, and flowering plants. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Sundaland: Includes the Nicobar Islands (part of India) and extends to Southeast Asian countries. It is renowned for its rich marine and terrestrial biodiversity, including unique island ecosystems.
Conclusion
Biodiversity hotspots represent the most biologically rich yet threatened terrestrial regions on Earth. Their identification provides a critical framework for prioritizing conservation efforts and resource allocation to protect a disproportionately high amount of global biodiversity. The presence of four such hotspots within India underscores the country's immense biological heritage and the urgent need for robust conservation policies and community engagement to safeguard these invaluable natural assets for future generations.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.