Question

Total number of biodiversity hotspots in the world are ______ and in India are ______; although it covers less than ___% of earth's land area.

Answer 1

Hint: A biodiversity hotspot is generally a region with a high level of biodiversity. Due to the high vulnerability of habitats and high irreplaceability of species found within large geographic regions, biodiversity has such huge importance.

Complete answer:
There are about 36 areas around the world that qualify as hotspots. They represent just 2.4% of Earth’s land surface, but they support more than half of the world’s plant species as endemics (species found no other place). These hotspots contain nearly 43% of bird, mammal, reptile, and amphibian species as endemics. Additionally, there are major four biodiversity hotspots in India that support a great diversity of flora and fauna:
-The Himalayas
-Indo-Burma Region
-The Western Ghats
-Sundaland
In addition to this, a region can be qualified as a biodiversity hotspot, only if it meets two strict criteria:
-This region must contain at least 1,500 vascular plants as endemics. This means it must have a high percentage of flora life found nowhere else on the planet.
-This region must have 30% or less of its original natural vegetation. This means it must be threatened.

Additional information:
There are mainly 5 core values that humans place on biodiversity:
-Economic: Biodiversity provides human beings with various raw materials for consumption and production. Many livelihoods, including farmers, fishers, and timber workers, are dependent on biodiversity.
-Ecological: It also provides functioning ecosystems that supply oxygen, water, and clean air, pollination of plants, pest control, wastewater treatment, and many ecosystem services.
-Recreation: Different recreational pursuits rely on unique biodiversities, such as birdwatching, hiking, camping, and fishing. Additionally, the tourism industry also runs on biodiversity.
-Cultural: Many cultures through the expression of identity, spirituality, and aesthetic appreciation are closely connected to biodiversity. -Scientific: The wealth of systematic ecological data is represented by biodiversity that helps us to understand the natural world and its origins.

So, the correct answer is: Total number of biodiversity hotspots in the world is 36 and in India is 4; although it covers less than 2.4% of the earth's land area.

Notes: Norman Myers was the first person to write on the concept of biodiversity, in two articles “The Environmentalist” published in 1988. Another article named “Hotspots-Earth’s Biologically Richest and Most Endangered Terrestrial Ecoregions” was published in 1990 and a paper published in the journal Nature.