Forests contain 60,000 different tree species, 80 percent of amphibian species, 75 percent of bird species, and 68 percent of the world's mammal species. They found biodiversity to be driven by temperature. All life on Earth hangs on biodiversity. So… c) 40 million. However, a number of those species are at a risk of extinction due to man’s intervention for consumption or entertainment. However, there are places that are severely threatened in spite of being some of the most biologically rich corners on Earth. b) 100 million. This tremendous diversity is due to a few factors, some of which are still debated. The findings were published in the Science Advances Journal and used an assessment process […] Endangered species are found throughout the world. The country harbors between 600,000 and 700,000 different plants and animals. It’s the yardstick by which we measure the health of our biodiversity. The grasslands biomes are considered to have more biodiversity, but only grasses, wildflowers, and a few trees have adapted to its strong winds, seasonal droughts, and annual fires. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa. The term biodiversity (from “biological diversity”) refers to the variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems, and can encompass the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural processes that sustain life. Lake Victoria contained almost 500 species of cichlids alone, ignoring the other fish families present in the lake. All living things exist within their own communities, or ecosystems - oceans, forests, deserts, ice caps and even cities. Some 90 other endemic bird species are currently threatened. However, if we look only at terrestrial biomes, tropical rainforests have the greatest biodiversity. Australia is 1st in the world for endemics. The findings highlight the threat posed by climate change to some of the most extraordinary places on earth and the importance of giving nature the protection it needs to thrive, the authors of the study say. Co-author of the study, Dr. Colin Beale from the Department of Biology at the University of York, said: “Our research focussed on the incredible diversity of the Cape Floristic Region because the competing theories of stability versus productivity can’t be untangled in the tropics, where both are true. Q-30. Columbia Research Shows How Energy Could Be Extracted, Humans Face a “Ghastly Future” Unless Extraordinary Action Is Taken Soon on Sustainability, New Research Finds Colleges Can Prevent 96% of COVID-19 Infections Without Vaccines, Stunning Martian Panorama Celebrates NASA’s Curiosity Rover’s 3,000th Day on Mars, Pioneering Research Reveals How Teeth Functioned and Evolved in Giant Mega-Sharks, Upper Ocean Temperatures Hit Record High in 2020 – Poses “A Severe Risk to Human and Natural Systems”, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Endemic species—species that are only found in one particular location—are also found in hotspots. Biodiversity: Biodiversity is the variety and differences among living organisms from all sources, including terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part. However, the rainforest biome is the one with the highest species diversity. Dr. Curtis Suttle, professor in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of British Columbia presented a stunning perspective during a talk when he stated, “In a liter of coastal seawater, there are more viruses … Of all the known species in the world, 10% are in the Amazon rainforest. Between 1999 and 2009, 1200 species of plants and vertebrates were identified for the first time. The diversity of plants and animals in Earth's arctic regions is moderate. Earth’s Biodiversity Bursts Do Not Follow Expected Pattern Life’s great radiations do not always line up with mass extinctions, a new study shows By Riley Black on January 14, 2021 Insects are found on land, in water and in air in nearly all habitats and all continents including Antarctica. Because most coral reef species are more widely distributed than rain forest species, they may be less prone to extinction by the destruction of a single locality. This is true not just for people, but for all life forms on earth. Even though forests and other fragmented habitats in hotspots represent just 2.3 percent of Earth’s land surface, they represent one of the most important part of the planet. All of these species were found only in Lake Victoria; therefore, the 500 species of cichlids were endemic. Ecologists have long sought to understand why some areas of the planet are extraordinarily rich in species. Like amphibians, insect species richness is greatest in tropical latitudes. Terrestrial biodiversity is thought to be up to 25 times greater than ocean biodiversity. As an ecosystem, the Amazon is one of the most biodiverse places on earth. But why might this be? Likewise, insect species richness is immense in the Neotropics though the actual number of … Of the 9,000 different plant species, about 6,200 are endemic. We can conserve most of life on Earth by protecting the most exceptional ecosystems and habitats. Tropical rainforests are found right around the equator. It may sound drastic, but we wouldn’t have human societies without them. 22.01.10. Amazonia represents the quintessence of biodiversity – the richest ecosystem on earth. 15 Most Endangered Species on Earth Our planet, Earth, hosts more than 30 million animal species. Bacteria to baboons, plants to people - the range of life on our planet is incredible. Biodiversity is the abundance and variety of life found on Earth. The international team of researchers – including scientists from the University of York (UK), Nelson Mandela University and the University of Cape Town – mapped the distributions of nearly all of the region’s 9400 plant species, from the king protea to the red disa. Explanation: The equator has rich biodiversity. The same hypotheses can explain tropical diversity; there is no need to invoke productivity.”. Latin America and Caribbean has seen the most loss, with a 94% drop in average species populations, while Africa comes in second with a 65% drop.. Ecuador: Yasuni - the most biodiverse place on Earth? Clearing the land for grazing and crops for animal feed is the main activity that destroys the region. Even among the larger and more mobile species, such as terrestrial vertebrates, more than one third of all species have ranges of less than 1,000 square kilometers. Today, the Cerrado covers less than 450,000 square km, down from more than 2 million square km. Forests harbour most of Earth's terrestrial biodiversity. The Philippines hotspot is one of the richest regions in biodiversity, including more than 7,100 islands in the Pacific Ocean. There are only 35 such regions, called biodiversity hotspots. At the equator. Biodiversity is everywhere, but there are certain habitats and ecosystems around the world that contain a huge variety of plant and animal species found nowhere else on earth. And as the places on Earth where the most biodiversity is under the most threat, hotspots are critical to human survival. ‘Voices for Nature’ highlights initiatives and commitments for protecting the rich tapestry of life on planet earth. But the most species aren’t described yet. Coniferous Forest Biome – Why They Are Important. Although mountain regions cover only 25% of Earth’s land area, they are home to more than 85% of the world’s species of amphibians, birds, and mammals, and many of these are found only in mountains. The level just broader is species diversity, which best fits the literal translation of biodiversity: the number of different species in a particular ecosystem or on Earth. This is life, this is biodiversity. found in a particular location and nowhere else; fully 25% of Hawaiian coral species are endemic to the area (Pacific Whale Foundation 2003). a) China. Biodiversity 1. Conserving the species residing there will have a colossal impact in protecting the global biodiversity. The staggering fact is that one in every 10 species of flora and fauna that is found on earthcan be found in Colombia. Ecuador: Yasuni - the most biodiverse place on Earth? You will find the answers of some questions of quiz on biodiversity is “true” or “False” type, it is specially designed to generate more awareness on biodiversity. Many different reasons are in Biodiversity is not evenly distributed on Earth. On Earth there are many biomes, and all of them have biodiversity. Thus, this energy is available for species to use and diversify. But what are these biodiversity hotspots and where are they? 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