Environmental Science &

Sustainability

Dr. Ruchi Singhal

Associate professor
 Unit- 1
Environmental Studies Meaning,
Nature, Scope, Importance and
Limitations
Biodiversity Patterns and Global Biodiversity
Hotspots

• Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including the diversity of species,
genetic diversity within species, and diversity of ecosystems. Biodiversity patterns
refer to the distribution of species and ecosystems across the planet, and are
influenced by a variety of factors such as climate, topography, geology, and human
activities. Global biodiversity hotspots are areas of the world that are particularly
rich in biodiversity but are also under threat from human activities.

Biodiversity Patterns :

Biodiversity patterns can be examined at different scales, ranging from global to

local. At the global scale, biodiversity is not evenly distributed, with some regions
of the world having much higher levels of biodiversity than others. This variation in
biodiversity is influenced by a variety of factors, such as latitude, climate, geology,
and history. For example, the tropics are known for their high levels of biodiversity,
with rainforests and coral reefs being particularly important ecosystems.
Biodiversity Patterns and Global Biodiversity
Hotspots

Biodiversity Patterns :

At smaller scales, biodiversity patterns can be influenced by a range of factors,

such as topography, soil, water availability, and human activities. For example,
mountainous regions tend to have high levels of biodiversity due to the diversity of
microclimates and habitats that are found at different elevations. Similarly,
wetlands and river systems are often important habitats for a wide range of
species.

Global Biodiversity Patterns

At the global scale, biodiversity is not evenly distributed, with some regions of the
world having much higher levels of biodiversity than others. This variation in
biodiversity is influenced by a variety of factors, such as latitude, climate, geology,
and history.
Biodiversity Patterns and Global Biodiversity
Hotspots

Global Biodiversity Patterns

• One of the most well-known patterns of global biodiversity is the latitudinal
gradient, which describes the trend of decreasing biodiversity from the equator
towards the poles. The tropics, particularly rainforests and coral reefs, are known
for their high levels of biodiversity, while the poles and deserts have much lower
levels. This pattern is thought to be driven by a combination of factors, including
climate stability, productivity, and speciation rates.
• Another global pattern of biodiversity is the relationship between biodiversity and
habitat heterogeneity. Areas with a variety of habitats, such as mountains or river
systems, tend to have higher levels of biodiversity than areas with homogenous
habitats, such as deserts or grasslands. This pattern is thought to be driven by the
availability of a range of ecological niches and the ability of species to adapt to
different habitats.
Biodiversity Patterns and Global Biodiversity
Hotspots

Global Biodiversity Patterns

• At the global scale, biodiversity patterns can also be influenced by historical factors
such as glaciation and continental drift. For example, the separation of South
America from Africa allowed for the evolution of unique species such as the
platypus and marsupials in Australia.
Biodiversity Patterns and Global Biodiversity
Hotspots

Regional Biodiversity Patterns

• At smaller scales, biodiversity patterns can be influenced by a range of factors,
such as topography, soil, water availability, and human activities. In some regions,
the influence of these factors can create unique biodiversity patterns.
• For example, the Appalachian Mountains in North America are known for their
high levels of plant diversity, with over 3,000 species of plants found in the region.
This is thought to be driven by the range of ecological niches provided by the
diverse topography and soil types in the region.
• Similarly, the Mediterranean region is known for its high levels of plant diversity,
with over 20,000 plant species found in the region. This is thought to be driven by a
combination of factors, including the region’s climate, which has a mild winter and
dry summer, as well as the region’s history of human activity, which has led to the
development of unique agricultural practices such as terraced farming.
Biodiversity Patterns and Global Biodiversity
Hotspots

Local Biodiversity Patterns

• At the smallest scales, biodiversity patterns can be influenced by microhabitat
variations, such as soil moisture, pH, and light levels. These factors can create
unique niches for different species, leading to high levels of biodiversity in small
areas.
• For example, the forest floor is often much more diverse than the canopy of a
forest, due to the range of microhabitats created by fallen leaves, logs, and other
debris. Similarly, small patches of wetland habitat within a larger landscape can
support a diverse range of species adapted to wetland conditions.
Biodiversity Patterns and Global Biodiversity
Hotspots

Global Biodiversity Hotspots

• Global biodiversity hotspots are areas of the world that are particularly rich in
biodiversity but are also under threat from human activities. These areas have
been identified as priorities for conservation efforts, as they contain a large
proportion of the world’s plant and animal species, many of which are found
nowhere else in the world. The concept of biodiversity hotspots was first
introduced by Norman Myers in the 1980s, and has since become an important
tool for conservation planning. To be considered a biodiversity hotspot, an area
must meet two criteria: it must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants (>
0.5% of the world’s total) that are endemic (i.e., found nowhere else in the world),
and it must have lost at least 70% of its original habitat.
Biodiversity Patterns and Global Biodiversity
Hotspots

Global Biodiversity Hotspots

• Using these criteria, a total of 36 biodiversity hotspots have been identified around
the world, which collectively cover only 2.3% of the Earth’s land surface but
contain over half of the world’s plant species and 43% of all bird, mammal, reptile,
and amphibian species.
• Examples of biodiversity hotspots include the Tropical Andes in South America,
which is home to over 45,000 plant species and a variety of unique ecosystems
such as cloud forests and high-altitude grasslands, but is also under threat from
deforestation, mining, and agricultural expansion. Another example is the Western
Ghats in India, which is one of the world’s eight “hottest hotspots” due to its high
levels of biodiversity and endemism, but is also threatened by habitat loss,
fragmentation, and invasive species.