Biodiversty Hotspots

BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOT
 Biodiversity hotspot, an area must meet two strict criteria:
 Contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants found nowhere else on Earth (known as
"endemic" species).
 vascular plant. Any of various plants that have the vascular tissues xylem and phloem.
The vascular plants include all seed-bearing plants 
 Today it lost at least 70 percent of its primary native vegetation.
 Many of the biodiversity hotspots exceed the two criteria. For example, both the
Sundaland Hotspot in Southeast Asia and the Tropical Andes Hotspot in South America
have about 15,000 endemic plant species. The loss of vegetation in some hotspots has
reached a startling 95 percent.
 There are currently 36 recognized biodiversity hotspots. These are Earth’s most
biologically rich—yet threatened—terrestrial regions.
 WHO LIVES IN THE BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS?

 The 36 biodiversity hotspots are home to around 2 billion people, including some of the world's
poorest, many of whom rely directly on healthy ecosystems for their livelihood and well-being.

The hotspots provide crucial ecosystem services for human life, such as provision of clean water,
pollination and climate regulation.
 These remarkable regions also hold some of the highest human population densities on the planet,
but the relationship between people and biodiversity is not simply one where more people lead to
greater impacts on biodiversity. Much of human-biodiversity impacts lies not in human density but
rather in human activity.
 Conservation in the hotspots promotes sustainable management of these essential natural resources
and supports economic growth, which also reduces drivers of violent conflict.
 CEPF works with civil society in the hotspots to protect biodiversity.
 CONCEPT OF BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS

 In 1988, British ecologist Norman Myers published a seminal paper identifying 10 tropical forest
“hotspots.” These regions were characterized both by exceptional levels of plant endemism and serious
levels of habitat loss.
 Conservation International, one of CEPF's global donor organizations, adopted Myers’ hotspots as its
institutional blueprint in 1989. In 1996, the organization made the decision to undertake a reassessment
of the hotspots concept, including an examination of whether key areas had been overlooked. Three
years later an extensive global review was undertaken, which introduced quantitative thresholds for the
designation of biodiversity hotspots and resulted in the designation of 25.
 In 2005, an additional analysis brought the total number of biodiversity hotspots to 34, based on the work
of nearly 400 specialists.
 In 2011, the Forests of East Australia was identified as the 35th hotspot by a team of researchers from
the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) working with Conservation
International.
 In February 2016, the North American Coastal Plain was recognized as meeting the criteria and became
the Earth's 36th hotspot.
 To know more about the Hot spots

 https://www.cepf.net/our-work/biodiversity-hotspots/
UNIT II

Eco Tourism: Definition – Evolution –Mass

Tourism vs Ecotourism - Factors affecting
Tourism sustainability - Zoning system - Carrying
capacity: Definition – Types of Carrying Capacity
– Ecotourism Activities and Impacts –
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
 ECO TOURISM
Ecotourism is defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves
the well-being of local people.” (TIES, 1990).

What is TIES
 The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting ecotourism
. Founded in 1990, TIES has been on the forefront of the development of ecotourism, providing guidelines
and standards, training, technical assistance, and educational resources. TIES’ global network of
ecotourism professionals and travelers is leading the efforts to make tourism a viable tool for
conservation, protection of bio-cultural diversity, and sustainable community development.
 Through membership services, industry outreach and educational programs, TIES is committed to helping
organizations, communities and individuals promote and practice the principles of ecotourism. TIES
currently has members in more than 190 countries and territories, representing various professional
fields and industry segments including: academics, consultants, conservation professionals and
organizations, governments, architects, tour operators, lodge owners and managers, general development
experts, and ecotourists.
 The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
promoting ecotourism. Founded in 1990, TIES has been on the forefront of the
development of ecotourism, providing guidelines and standards, training, technical
assistance, and educational resources. TIES’ global network of ecotourism professionals
and travelers is leading the efforts to make tourism a viable tool for conservation,
protection of bio-cultural diversity, and sustainable community development.

 Through membership services, industry outreach and educational programs, TIES is

committed to helping organizations, communities and individuals promote and practice
the principles of ecotourism. TIES currently has members in more than 190 countries
and territories, representing various professional fields and industry segments including:
academics, consultants, conservation professionals and organizations, governments,
architects, tour operators, lodge owners and managers, general development experts,
and ecotourists.
 https://ecotourism.org/ties-overview/