Why in News?
A new global underground atlas has mapped biodiversity hotspots of mycorrhizal fungi—organisms vital for plant health and soil ecosystems. Using 2.8 billion DNA sequences and machine learning, scientists revealed hidden hotspots in regions like the Alaskan tundra and Mediterranean woodlands.
Description:
A Biodiversity Hotspot is a biogeographic region that:
- Has exceptionally high species richness, especially endemic species (found nowhere else), and
- Is under severe threat from human activities.
Origin of Concept:
- Term coined by: Norman Myers (1988)
- Institutionalized by: Conservation International (CI) in 1989
- Quantitative Criteria established: CI Global Assessment, 1999
Criteria to Qualify as a Biodiversity Hotspot:
To be designated as a hotspot, a region must:
- Have ≥1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics (≥0.5% of global total)
- Have lost ≥70% of its original vegetation
Implication: The area is irreplaceable and threatened
Biodiversity Hotspots of the World:
- Total: 36
- Area: Only 2.3% of Earth’s land surface
- Contains:
- ~50% of world’s endemic plant species
- ~43% of all terrestrial vertebrates
- Mostly found in tropical forests
Biodiversity Hotspots in India (4 Total):
| No. | Hotspot Name | Details |
| 1 | Eastern Himalayas | Nepal, Bhutan, NE India; Red Panda, Snow Leopard |
| 2 | Western Ghats & Sri Lanka | Endangered Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-tailed Macaque |
| 3 | Indo-Burma | NE India, Myanmar; high amphibian diversity |
| 4 | Sundaland (incl. Nicobar) | Marine biodiversity & unique island species |
Threats to Biodiversity Hotspots:
- Habitat destruction (deforestation, urbanization, agriculture)
- Climate change
- Pollution (plastic, pesticides, industrial waste)
- Invasive species (non-native competitors and predators)
- Overexploitation (logging, overfishing, poaching)
Importance of Conservation:
- Preserves genetic & ecological diversity
- Supports ecosystem services (air, water, pollination)
- Maintains cultural and indigenous heritage
- Prevents species extinction
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