What are the hotspots for biodiversity?

Biodiversity hotspots are areas that are both highly biodiverse and vulnerable. These areas are crucial for the conservation of global biodiversity because they contain large numbers of species in relatively small areas.

Hotspots are generally characterised by the presence of endemic species, i.e. species that are found only in a particular area. These species are often exclusively dependent on the habitats in the hotspots and the loss of habitat poses a significant threat to them.

Several criteria are taken into account in the selection of hotspots. One of the most important criteria is species richness, i.e. the number of different species found in a given area. In addition, hotspots must have a high species loss rate, i.e. they must be areas where the risk of species extinction is high.

Hotspots should also typically have a low conservation status, i.e. they should be less protected areas. This means that many of the habitats in hotspots are threatened or have already disappeared and are highly affected by threats to species, such as habitat destruction or climate change.

Human activity plays a significant role in the creation and maintenance of hotspots. Habitat destruction, deforestation, industrial activity and agricultural expansion all contribute to the development of hotspots. The conservation and protection of hotspots is therefore of paramount importance for biodiversity conservation.

However, the protection of hotspots is not only important for the conservation of species, but also for human societies. The organisms found in hotspots are often key to the functioning of ecosystems, for example in pollination or maintaining soil quality. There are also significant opportunities for tourism and economic development in hotspot areas.

Biodiversity hotspots are therefore of paramount importance for the conservation of global biodiversity. For sustainable development and nature conservation, it is essential that these areas are properly protected and maintained.

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