Ecological HotspotsEcological Hotspots

Observed and predicted loss of biodiversity over the years = sixth extinction

Loss of biodiversity permanent Conservation biology therefore very important Identification of areas under sever threat of

permanent loss “Hotspots” origin

Evolution of the term: HotspotEvolution of the term: Hotspot Norman Myers-first to develop concept Geographical regions that deserved conservation

priority High numbers of endemic (rare) species in

relatively small areas First 10 hotspots were identified-all tropical

rainforest, plants were indicators for diversity Myers then added a further 8 hotspots

(Mediterranean-type ecosystems added) High species number or high degree of endemism

or under huge threat or combination of factors

Evolution of the term:Hotspot (Cont.)Evolution of the term:Hotspot (Cont.) A consequent analysis resulted in 25 hotspots A minimum number of plant species was required to

be analyzed Two criteria: endemism and degree of threat Not just “pristine” vegetation included-fragmented

vegetation included Mammal, bird, reptile and amphibian endemism and

diversity patterns also analyzed Hotspots covered much more diverse terrestrial

ecosystems A further 9 hotspots has been added but is currently

still being peer-reviewed

The 34 Terrestrial HotspotsThe 34 Terrestrial Hotspots

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The 34 Terrestrial Hotspots (Cont.)The 34 Terrestrial Hotspots (Cont.)1) Atlantic Forest

2) California Floristic Province

3) Cape Floristic Province

4) Caribbean Islands

5) Caucasus

6) Brazilian Cerrado

7) Central Chile

8) Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa

9) East Melanesian Islands

10) Eastern African Afromantane

11) Guinean Forests of West Africa

12) Himalayas

13) Horn of Africa

14) Indo-Burma

15) Irano-Anatolia

16) Japan

17) Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands

18) Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands

19) Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany

20) Mediterranean Basin

21) Mesoamerica

22) Mountains of Central Asia

23) Hengduan Mountains of Southwest China

24) New Caledonia

25) New Zealand

26) Philippines

27) Polynesia-Micronesia

28) Southwest Australia

29) Succulent Karoo

30) Sundaland

31) Tropical Andes

32) Tumbès-Chocò-Magdalena

33) Wallacea

34) Western Ghats and Sri Lanka

The 11 Marine HotspotsThe 11 Marine Hotspots

Major limitation to present hotspot analysis Lack of marine realm-purely terrestrial based Study of marine ecosystems based on coral reefs Hotspots located entirely within tropics Study presented not yet comprehensive Research is still on going Although many marine hotspots extend from

terrestrial hotspots=extension

The 11 Marine Hotspots (Cont.)The 11 Marine Hotspots (Cont.)

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The 11 Marine Hotspots (Cont.)The 11 Marine Hotspots (Cont.)

1) Philippines2) Sundaland Islands3) Wallacea4) Gulf of Guinea 5) Southern Mascarene Islands6) Eastern South Africa7) North Indian Ocean8) Southern Japan, Taiwan and Southern China9) Cape Verde Islands10) Western Caribbean11) Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

Tropical RegionsTropical Regions

More specifically tropical forests-renowned for housing the most biologically diverse ecosystems

Occurs between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn

Share characteristics: climate, precipitation, canopy structure, complex symbiotic relationships

Stable climate Canopy-provides array of niches Holds up to 50% of planet’s species

Tropical Regions-High DiversityTropical Regions-High Diversity

“Latitudinal gradient in species diversity”-increases from poles to equator

Hypotheses: energy/climate based hypotheses and historical/evolutionary base hypotheses

Energy/climate-species based–energy and climate stability hypothesis

Historical/evolutionary based- historical changes and evolutionary rate hypothesis

These hypotheses do however have critiques and need further research to be fully accepted

Other hypotheses do exist This latitudinal gradient is also observed in the marine

realm

High Concentration of Hotspots in High Concentration of Hotspots in Equatorial RegionsEquatorial Regions

High diversity compared to temperate and polar regions-latitudinal gradient hypothesis

High degree of endemism in tropical regions Restricted to relatively small land areas Most tropical regions are under sever threat-mainly due to

social and economical issues Severe habitat loss and destruction Tropical forests once covered 12% of Earth's surface-now

reduced to a mere 5% (maybe even less) Vanishing at disturbingly high rates Therefore most of world’s hotspots found within tropical

regions

Distribution of Endemic (rare) Terrestrial Distribution of Endemic (rare) Terrestrial Species and Freshwater Fish-PlantsSpecies and Freshwater Fish-Plants

Tropical Andes Hotspot contains 15 000 endemic plant species

Sundaland Hotspot also contains 15 000 endemic plant species

Together these hotspots harbor nearly 14% of all vascular plants found on the planet

Cape Floral Kingdom contains the world’s greatest concentration of non-tropical endemic plant species

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Distribution of Endemic (rare) Terrestrial Distribution of Endemic (rare) Terrestrial Species and Freshwater Fish-MammalsSpecies and Freshwater Fish-Mammals

Sundaland hotspot contains the highest number of endemic mammals-172 species, 17 genera

Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands hotspot houses 144 endemic mammals species- world's leader in endemic primates houses 5 endemic lemur families

Wallacea hotspot – 127 endemic mammal species

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Distribution of Endemic (rare) Terrestrial Distribution of Endemic (rare) Terrestrial Species and Freshwater Fish-BirdsSpecies and Freshwater Fish-Birds

Tropical Andes hotspot harbors 579 endemic bird species

This hotspot contains all or parts of 21 different Endemic Bird Areas

This high degree of endemism does not compare to any other area in the world

Wallacea hotspot –262 endemic bird species which is astonishing because of its relatively small land

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Distribution of Endemic (rare) Terrestrial Distribution of Endemic (rare) Terrestrial Species and Freshwater Fish-ReptilesSpecies and Freshwater Fish-Reptiles

Caribbean Islands hosts the largest number of endemic reptiles-469 species

Two examples of entirely endemic genera (both snakes) include: Tropidophis sp.(all 26 species endemic) and Alsophis sp.(all 13 species endemic)

The Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands harbors 367 reptile species and is a major center of chameleon diversity

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Distribution of Endemic (rare) Terrestrial Distribution of Endemic (rare) Terrestrial Species and Freshwater Fish-Amphibians Species and Freshwater Fish-Amphibians

and Freshwater Fishand Freshwater Fish

The Tropical Andes hotspot is the most significant area in the world concerning amphibian diversity as it hosts 980 species of which 670 are endemic

The Mesoamerica hotspot contains 358 endemic amphibian species

The Eastern Afromontane hotspot, where the Great Rift lakes reside, is home to 617 endemic freshwater fish

The Indo-Burma hotspot houses 553 endemic freshwater fish species, 30 endemic genera and 1 endemic family

ThreatsThreats Social and economic threats=habitat loss

and degradation Major cause-exponential human population

growth Increase in foreign debt loads Decrease funds available for conservation Poverty Over hunting and illegal pet trade

Threats (Cont.)Threats (Cont.) Human impact overwhelming Pollution Introduction of invasive alien species Unsustainable use and management of

biodiversity (commercial exploitation) Climate change-global warming Global warming most probably the most

enveloping threat as it has the ability to affect areas out of range of humans

Future predictions state that hotspots could lose between 39-43% of biodiversity

Lack of efficient practical protection

Threats (Cont.)Threats (Cont.) Marine hotspots have specific threats Destructive fishing methods Over exploitation of fish stocks (unsustainable

use) Pollution from urban and agricultural runoff Pollution from sediment logging Live fish trade Oil spills from tankers Coastal and agricultural development

ConservationConservation Priority-identification of regions under severe threat

of extinction which is why hotspots originated Protection of areas through establishment of

reserves, national parks, botanical gardens, heritage sites, wildlife refuges, etc…

Incentive measures are essential for conservation Regulations and market based tools are also used Increase in new conservation tools and conservation

professionals promote action against biodiversity loss

Unique projects- Working for water Ecotourism-mutually beneficial