What is the Philippines tagged as biodiversity hotspot?
Philippines: A Biodiversity Hotspot It is considered to be a mega – diversity country because of the exceptional diversity in ecosystems, species and genetic resources found within its 7,100 island territory. Philippines is known to be a home to 52,177 described species of which 50% or more are believed to be endemic.
Why is the Philippines named as a mega biodiversity country?
The Philippines is one of the 17 mega biodiverse countries, containing two-thirds of the Earth’s biodiversity and 70 percent of world’s plants and animal species due to its geographical isolation, diverse habitats and high rates of endemism. The Philippines’ biodiversity provides several ecosystem services.
Which of the following places in the Philippines are well known for its high biodiversity?
More than 60 percent of the 167 different species of mammals and 65 percent of the 10,000+ species of plants are endemic. Although many of the islands have an incredible assortment of wildlife, no island has more to offer than the island province of Palawan.
What are the 3 biodiversity hotspots?
Biodiversity Hotspots in India – Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats & Sundaland. Biodiversity is referred to as the variation of plant and animal species in a particular habitat. Species evenness and species richness form the major components of biodiversity.
What is the status of Philippines in biodiversity hotspot What made the Philippines in the list of biodiversity hotspots?
Species endemism is very high, covering at least 25 genera of plants and 49% of terrestrial wildlife, while the country ranks fourth in bird endemism. The Philippines is also one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots with at least 700 threatened species, thus making it one of the top global conservation areas.
Is Palawan a biodiversity hotspot?
Palawan is the third largest island group in the Philippines and a biodiversity hotspot, home to 49 animal and 56 plant species which are threatened with global extinction according to the international conservation organisation IUCN.
What is Philippine biodiversity?
The Philippines is one of 18 mega-biodiverse countries of the world, containing two-thirds of the earth’s biodiversity and between 70% and 80% of the world’s plant and animal species. The Philippines ranks fifth in the number of plant species and maintains 5% of the world’s flora.
Why are some countries called hotspot?
To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet two strict criteria: It must have at least 1,500 vascular plants as endemics — which is to say, it must have a high percentage of plant life found nowhere else on the planet. A hotspot, in other words, is irreplaceable.
WHO declared biodiversity hotspot?
Norman Myers
The term ‘biodiversity hotspot’ was coined by Norman Myers (1988). He recognized 10 tropical forests as “hotspots” on the basis of extraordinary level of plant endemism and high level of habitat loss, without any quantitative criteria for the designation of “hotspot” status.
How many biodiversity hotspots are there in the world in 2021?
There are currently 36 recognized biodiversity hotspots. These are Earth’s most biologically rich—yet threatened—terrestrial regions. To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, an area must meet two strict criteria: Contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants found nowhere else on Earth (known as “endemic” species).
Is the Philippines a biodiversity hotspot?
Philippines is known to be a home to 52,177 described species of which 50% or more are believed to be endemic. It is possible that the Philippines may practically have more biodiversity on a per unit basis. Unfortunately, its species richness, high endemism and diversity are all at risk, qualifying it to be a biodiversity hotspot.
Where is the center of marine fish biodiversity in the Philippines?
It is argued even to this day that the Philippines, particularly around Mindoro and northern Palawan Islands, are the center of the center of marine fish biodiversity. For scholars, it is a question of species per area rather than species per region.
What are the threats to Philippine Marine Biodiversity?
Threats to Philippine marine biodiversity have been grouped into five major categories – chemical pollution and eutrophication, fisheries operations, habitat alteration, invasion of alien species and global climate change.
What can we learn from biodiversity hotspots?
There are many lessons that can be learned from biodiversity hotspots and the Philippines itself, being one of the top priorities of the hotspots. The ecosystems to which biodiversity thrives are disappearing at a rapid rate than they could be saved.