Question

State any two criteria for determining biodiversity hotspots.

Hint:

Remember that a biodiversity hotspot is characterized by both "richness" (many species, many unique) and "risk" (habitat loss is high). Both conditions must be met.

Answer 1

Two main criteria are used to identify regions as biodiversity hotspots:
(A) High Species Richness and Endemism: The region must contain a significant number of species, and a high percentage of these species must be endemic, meaning they are found exclusively in that particular area and nowhere else in the world. For example, a region might be considered a hotspot if it harbors a large number of plant species, with a substantial portion of these being unique to that region.
(B) High Degree of Threat: The region must face severe threats to its biodiversity, primarily through habitat loss. This is typically quantified as having lost at least 70\% of its original natural habitat due to human activities such as deforestation, agriculture, urbanization, and industrialization. The remaining habitat must be under continued threat. A region must meet both of these criteria to qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, highlighting areas that are not only rich in unique species but are also in urgent need of conservation efforts.