Biodiversity Hotspots

Biodiversity hotspots are biogeographic regions holding exceptional concentrations of endemic species that are severely threatened. Thirty six terrestrial hotspots have been recognized, indicated on the map below, covering 16.7% of Earth’s land surface. What remains of the natural vegetation in these 36 hotspots, however, is down to 2.39% of the world’s land area, an area a little larger than India. Scientists estimate that half of all plant and vertebrate species are found only within the hotspots. The Hotspots concept was developed by British ecologist Norman Myers in 1988, and championed by Re:wild’s Chief Conservation Officer Russ Mittermeier, who has been a leader in defining, expanding and applying the concept over three decades.