Biomass

Biodiversity is greatest in the tropics Biodiversity is generally greatest in the southern hemisphere Seventy per cent of the world's species is found in just 12 countries: Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico, Peru and Democratic Republic of Congo Biodiversity is low where there are climatic extremes

Initially 25 terrestrial hotspots. Recently updated to include marine hotspots. Now 34 hotspot areas identified. Terrestrial hotspots cover approximately 1.4% of the earth’s surface. Together they contain 44% of the world’s plants and 35% of the world’s animal species Marine hotspots are essentially coral reef areas in the tropics (contain 24% of world’s coral reefs yet cover 0.017% of oceans) Terrestrial and marine hotspots are often adjacent to each other e.g. Cape Floristic Province, South Africa

The tropical distribution of both types of hotspot is due to an absence of limiting factors which allows maximum primary productivity. In the tropics high temperatures, high humidity, abundant rainfall, and plentiful nutrients all encourage luxuriant growth of rainforests and reefs The location of hotspots does not correlate exactly with the location of greatest biodiversity. For example, France does not have a particularly high biodiversity but yet its southern shores are part of the Mediterranean Basin Hotspot.

Atlantic forests Mediterranean Basin Cape Floristic Region Madagascar Indo-Burma South-West Australia

Species richness Endemic richness Level of threat to species Biodiversity hotspot

A biodiversity hotspot is an area containing a huge number of species, a large percentage of which are endemic. Hotspots have been described as ‘the most remarkable places on Earth and the most threatened’. They cover less than 2% of the Earth’s surface, yet they contain 44% of the world’s plant species and 35% of its animal species.

Continental Hotspots Large Island Hotspots Small Island Hotspots Marine Hotspots ATLANTIC FOREST AUSTRALIA MADAGASCAR CORAL REEF

Alterations in ecosystem composition Climate Change Habitat loss and destruction Over exploitation Pollution Invasive species Threats to Biodiversity

Has ensured that the ‘best bits’- areas with the highest levels of biodiversity, substantial levels of endemism (unique/rare species) are conserved and protected. Areas under threat are commonly in the tropics and in developing countries where conservation costs are much lower (cheap labour) – idea of value for money. Hotspots now covers marine area under threats in addition to terrestrial ecosystems

Even with the additions of marine hotspots under 2% of the earth and 0.017% of oceans are protected by this approach The distribution of areas protected is very uneven. Most hotspots lie in the tropics e.g. rainforests. Many ecosystems such as Tundra, Taiga and Temperate Forest are not included. Huge areas of the world are not covered including many areas under great threat e.g. Arctic Ocean, or many outstanding smaller regions such as Galapagos. These are not protected because they do not meet all three criteria to be a hot spot. Polar bears subsequently face extinction. Hotspots tend to follows protectionist approach. This entails removing people and their activities from areas under threat. This has occurred in tropical countries where indigenous people have been forced off their land in favour of creating big reserves.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is considered the most comprehensive record of the conservation status of plants and animals. Essentially precise criteria is utilised by different countries and organisations to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species and subspecies. These criteria are relevant to all species and all regions of the world. Records are continually being updated. The IUCN aim to convey the urgency of conservation issues to the public and policy makers, as well as help the international community try and reduce species extinction.

The Living Planet Index (LPI) is an indicator of the state of global biological diversity, based on trends in vertebrate species- fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds mammals- from all around the world. By tracking wild species, the Living Planet Index is also monitoring the health of ecosystems. The information can be used to define the impact humans are having on the planet and for guiding actions to address biodiversity loss.

The WWF developed a system of eco-regions. 200 Eco-regions were identified. They are deemed the most biologically distinct terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems on the planet and subsequently are to be protected and conserved to ensure species, habitats and ecological processes continue. The eco-regions identified are to be representative of all ecosystems of that type.

World Resource Institute – Earthtrends Millennium Assessment Find out how they conserve biodiversity. Write a short paragraph about each.

a)Explain the distribution of the world’s terrestrial and marine hotspots in Figure 3. 1 Define hotspot 2 Terrestrial hotspots - % land covered. Geographical location of majority of hotspots. Examples. Biodiversity Threats 3 Marine hotspots- types of ecosystem. Examples. Threats. 4 Explanation – detailed locations mentioned. Explains reasons for high biodiversity. Highlights range of ecological niches, complex food chains, details of endemism and reasons for the range of threats.

b) Evaluate the relative advantages and disadvantages of the ‘hotspot’ approach to biodiversity management (compared with other strategies) (15) 1 For hotspot approach 2 Against hotspot approach – against protectionist approach 3 Alterative mode of conservation 4 conclusion