Question

Biodiversity hotspots are

• A. areas with low species richness and endemism but facing high threat of extinction
• B. areas with high species richness and endemism and facing high threat of extinction
• C. areas with low species richness and endemism and facing low threat of extinction
• D. areas with high species richness and endemism but facing low threat of extinction

Answer 1

The correct option is B areas with high species richness and endemism and facing high threat of extinction

Biodiversity is the variety and variability amongst living organisms and ecosystems in a given area.

Biodiversity hotspots are areas with a high degree of species richness and endemism (confinement of a particular species to a specific geographical area only) but are facing a rapid rate of biodiversity loss. Hence option b is correct.

Species richness here refers to the sum total of all the different species present in a particular geographical area.

These hotspots are considered as regions which need immediate and urgent measures of biodiversity conservation. India has 3 major biodiversity hotspots as follows :

• Western Ghats - Sri Lanka
• Indo - Burma region
• Himalayas

Figure : Biodiversity hotspots of India