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2006-08-12 23:11:52 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Environment

4 answers

A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region that is both a significant reservoir of biodiversity and is threatened with destruction. The biodiversity hotspots were originally identified by Dr. Norman Myers. he term biodiversity hotspot specifically refers to 25 biologically rich areas around the world that have lost at least 70% of their original habitat. The remaining natural habitat in these biodiversity hotspots amounts to just 1.4 percent of the land surface of the planet, yet supports nearly 60 percent of the world's plant, bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species. The purpose of biodiversity hotspots is not simply to identify regions that are of high biodiversity value, but also to direct available funding to a small amount of the world's land area.

There are 34 biodiversity hotspots found in North and Central America, South America, Europe and Central Asia, Asia-Pacific, and Africa. The websites below go into more detail about the 34 biodiversity hotspots.

I hope this helps.

2006-08-13 08:15:47 · answer #1 · answered by fieldworking 6 · 0 0

"Single fish species controls health of tropical river

Removing a single fish species can seriously degrade tropical river ecosystems, according to research published in Science.
11 August 2006
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Selective logging leads to clear-cutting in Amazon

Research has shown that selective logging — a practice intended to be sustainable — leads to clear felling of rainforest trees in the Amazon.
1 August 2006
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Banking on bioprospecting in Costa Rica

Costa Rica's top biodiversity research centre aims to beat its financial problems by sharing in profits from drugs based on chemicals it discovers in local species, reports Rex Dalton.
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Agreeing to disagree: Andean trade deals with the US

As three Andean nations forge ahead with free trade agreements with the United States, Lisbeth Fog reports on the implications for healthcare, research and regional stability.
28 April 2006
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How biodiversity loss affects the health of ecosystems

Some environmental researchers take the view that species-rich ecosystems function better than those that are species-poor. Others disagree. Shahid Naeem assesses the arguments.
Shahid Naeem
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Sowing trouble: India's 'second green revolution'

Suman Sahai argues that India's new agricultural biotechnology deal with the United States will take power away from farmers and endanger a rich genetic heritage.
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Source: SciDev.Net

The Cartagena Protocol: a waste of time and money?

SciDev.Net readers respond to a recent claim that the UN biodiversity convention's Cartagena Protocol on genetically modified organisms is irrelevant and a waste of resources.
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Source: SciDev.Net"

2006-08-13 06:19:14 · answer #2 · answered by OneRunningMan 6 · 0 0

bio diversity basically refers to diversity in life forms.A regions ecological rating is based on its biodiversity.Higher the bio diversity the eco system is said to be more rich.Hotspots basically refers to places where there is high density of life forms,that is the region has rich biodiversity,hotspots are ecologically sensitive areas as a slight imbalance will spell doom.

2006-08-16 01:17:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

HOT SPOTS ARE BASICALLY THE PLACES IN WORLD WHICH R RICH SOURCE OF BIODIVERSITY BUT AT THE SAME TIME THEY ARE UNDER THREAT OF LOSING IT.THERE ARE 25 HOTSPOTS IN WORLD OF WHICH 2 ARE IN INDIA

2006-08-13 06:20:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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