Question

Comment upon Biodiversity hot-spots.

Hint:

High endemism + high habitat loss = biodiversity hotspot.

Answer 1

Step 1: Definition:
Biodiversity hotspots are regions of the world that are exceptionally rich in species (especially endemic species found nowhere else) but are also under serious threat from habitat destruction.

Step 2: Criteria and significance:
A region qualifies as a hotspot (Norman Myers' criteria) if it contains at least 1,500 endemic vascular plant species and has already lost 70% or more of its original habitat. Identifying hotspots helps direct limited conservation resources to the areas with the greatest and most urgent need.

Final Answer:
Biodiversity hotspots are highly species-rich, highly threatened regions prioritised for conservation; India has such hotspots including the Himalaya, Indo-Burma and the Western Ghats.