Habitat Loss in Biodiversity Hotspots - 754 Words

Imagine you take a trip to the Tropical Andes but when you get there you see none of the beautiful wildlife and plant life you were hoping to see. Instead, you see large bridges and roadways, lumberjacks and fallen trees. Where there use to be large biodiversity hotspots thriving with life there are now animals losing their homes and coming into extinction. This is beginning to happen in many hotspots around the world. But first to know how this is happening and why, you have to know what a Biodiversity Hotspot is; a Biodiversity Hotspot is Earth’s biologically richest places, with high numbers of species found nowhere else. â€Å"Hotspots face extreme threats and have already lost at least 70 percent of their original vegetation.† (Biodiversity Hotspots) There are many places that are considered a Biodiversity Hotspots, to qualify as a hotspot a region must meet two strict criteria: 1. It must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants 2. It has to have lost at least 70 percent of its original habitat There are also three factors that usually determine hotspots: 1. The number of total species 2. The number of unique species 3. The number of species at risk (Lee, Alan. Biodiversity Hotspots?)(Biodiversity Decline)Glass, 2 There are also more causes to habitat loss than just deforestation such as, pollution, unsustainable farming and hunting, fossil fuel consumption, and introducing non-native species to that area are just some reasons for habitat loss. ButShow MoreRelatedThe Study of Biodiversity939 Words   |  4 PagesBiodiversity – the amount of living things; animals, microorganisms and plants. 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The mountains of Central Asia have a high level of biological diversity dueRead MoreSurvival of Earthly Life Depends on Science and Technology: Analysis of Seven Scholarly Articles1817 Words   |  7 Pagesspecies. The authors predicted that climate warming would add to other already recognized threats to global biodiversity. Loss of habitat is considered the greatest threat to the species in most regions. The interaction between threats is also predicted to produce the strongest impact of climate change. The affected species ability to take refuge in suitable areas will be hindered by habitat loss and fragmentation. These interactions would spread out farther in the 21st century. By targeting the reductionRead MoreThe Presentation The 6th Mass Extinction Essay1997 Words   |  8 PagesFrom the presentation the 6th mass extinction: 1. Describe what biodiversity is and why biodiversity is so important. 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Biodiversity is currently being lost at an alarming rate - with current rates of extinction being 100 times the background rate (Stork, 2010), which has consequent effects on other life on earth, disrupting eco-systems and environmental relationships. This raises social, economic and political