2. Global Distributions of Biodiversity Biodiversity is greatest in the tropics and declines towards the poles

3. Climate Climate is the main factor affecting the distribution of biomes and therefore biodiversity. Climatic elements include precipitation, temperature, light intensity and winds. Endemism If something is endemic it is unique to one place or region. Oceanic islands are often high in endemism as the species of flora and fauna have developed in isolation. Australia has a high number of endemics that make up a high % of total species. Human Activity Biodiversity is under attack from humans via loss and degradation of habitats, over- exploitation, the introduction of alien and invasive species, pollution and climate change.

4. GLOBAL DISTRIBUTIONS OF BIODIVERSITY  Tropical rainforests contain 50% of the world’s species in just over 7% of the world’s land area.  They also account for 80% of all insects and 90% of primates (the highest ordered species)  Brazil, Indonesia and Madagascar contain over 55% of the world's mammals.  Tropical America has about 85, 000 species of flowering plants, compared with about 11,300 in Europe.

5.  Biodiversity hotspots are areas with high concentrations of biodiversity.  Pivotal areas are areas with concentrations of hotspots- for example SE Asia. They are valued for the sheer number of species  Biomass is the total amount of organic matter in a given area.  Net Primary Productive Energy (NPP) is calculated as the energy fixed by photosynthesis minus that lost through respiration. It is measured in Kg per m 2 per year

6. Map showing Terrestrial Biomes classified by vegetation Biodiversity Hotspot- Indo-Burma Covering more than 2 million km 2 of tropical Asia. The area has high numbers of endemic freshwater turtles species and almost 1300 different bird species. Six large mammal species have been discovered in the last 12 years. Biodiversity Hotspot- The Philippines. More than 7100 islands make up one of the world’s most bio diverse countries. Many endemic species now cover only 7% of their original extent. This include over 6000 plant species. Amphibian endemism is high and includes species such as panther flying frog.