Question

What is a biodiversity hot-spot? Describe with an example.

Hint:

Recall the two conditions: high endemism and over 70 percent habitat loss, using the Western Ghats as an example.

Answer 1

Understanding the Question:
A biodiversity hotspot is a geographic region that has an exceptionally large number of species, many of which are found nowhere else, but which also faces serious habitat loss.

Detailed Explanation:
To qualify as a hotspot, a region must have at least 1,500 species of vascular plants found only there (a high level of endemism), and it must have already lost at least 70 percent of its original habitat.
These two conditions together mean the region holds unique life that is under severe threat, making conservation there especially urgent.
The Western Ghats and Sri Lanka form one such recognised hotspot, home to many endemic amphibians and plants that exist nowhere else on Earth, but where forest cover has shrunk sharply due to human activity.

Final Answer:
A biodiversity hotspot is a highly endemic but heavily threatened region, such as the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka hotspot, that needs priority conservation.