Biodiversity hotspots and threats
- Created by: Anoush
- Created on: 06-12-15 14:06
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- Biodiversity hotspots and threats
- Southwest Australia
- Southwest Australia's ecoregion stretches from Shark Bay on the Western coast to Esperance on the Southern coast.
- Biodiversity
- Its biodiversity exceeds that of the Great Barrier Reef, yet less than 1%of the region is protected.
- The western swamp turtle, which hibernates for nearly 8 months of the year, is one of the most threatened freshwater species in the world.
- 2948 endemic plant species.
- Biodiversity
- Threats
- Agricultural expansion and high levels of fertiliser use have been the main cause of habitat loss.
- The introduction of invasive alien species, such as foxes and cats,are a major threat to native fauna.
- Traditionally bushfires are used for the clearing and hunting of land.
-
93%
of the original vegetation has been replaced by
wheat and 80% of the Swan Coastal Plain
has been cleared for urban development such as the city
of Perth
- Perth is projected to more than double in size to 4.3 million people by 2056.
- 70–80% of the original wetlands on the plain are estimated to have been cleared, drained or filled since European settlement.
- Southwest Australia's ecoregion stretches from Shark Bay on the Western coast to Esperance on the Southern coast.
- The Caucasus
- At the border of Europe and Asia- situated between the black and Caspian Sea
- Biodiversity
- 6400 species of plants, 1600 are endemic
- The Caucasian leopard is the rarest species in the region, less than 100.
- The Cuacasian turs are threatened endemic species.
- Threats
- Recent economic and political crises in the region are intensifying forest clearances for fuelwood.
- Lower plains are experiencing the greatest destruction
- Illegal hunting and plant collecting further threaten biodiversity in this region.
- Led to habitat degradation, a decline of species population and distribution.
- Atlantic Forest
- Stretches from Brazil, Northern Argentina and South-eastern Paraguay
- Biodiversity
- Over 20,000 plants species and 950 different kinds of birds.
- 200 bird species that are endemic.
- World's leading primate biodiversity.
- Contains 8% of the world's plants.
- 8000 endemic plant species.
- Threats
- Less than 10% of the original forest remains.
- 24+ critically endangered vertebrate species are clinging for survival.
- 60% of Brazil's animals are threatened e.g. Wooly spider monkey.
- Habitat loss caused by the development and expansion of sugarcane and coffee plantations.
- Has been losing habitat for hundreds of years.
- Land conversion to pasture, agriculture and forest plantations.
- Has been losing habitat for hundreds of years.
- Pressure from illegally built housing, illegal logging and extractive activities.
- Biodiversity
- Stretches from Brazil, Northern Argentina and South-eastern Paraguay
- Indo-Burma
- Pivotal are encompassing different countries of tropical Asia.
- Biodiversity
- 6 large mammal species have been discovered in the last 12 years e.g. leaf deer and Grey shanked duke.
- High number of endemic freshwater turtle species.
- 1300 different bird species.
- Threats
- One of the most threatened biodiversity hotspots due to rates of exploitation and habitat loss.
- Land is used for agricultural needs esp. in the last 5 years due to pop. growth.
- Cash crops are replacing low-land forests.
- Biodiversity
- Pivotal are encompassing different countries of tropical Asia.
- Philippines
- 7100+ make up the Philippines hotspot. Located within the Pacific 'Ring of Fire'.
- Biodiversity
- One of the World's most biologically rich countries.
- 6000 plant species and many birds.
- Many endemic species cover 7% of the hotspot e.g. Panther flying frog.
- Threats
- Many endemic species are confined to forest fragments that cover only 7% of the original extent of the hotspot.
- No green corridors.
- Water and air pollution; oil spills.
- Many endemic species are confined to forest fragments that cover only 7% of the original extent of the hotspot.
- Biodiversity
- 7100+ make up the Philippines hotspot. Located within the Pacific 'Ring of Fire'.
- Southwest Australia
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