- A Areas defined mainly by the documented presence of endemic species alone, without much additional formal scientific criteria relating to historical habitat loss in their official designation as widely reported in standard practice under most conditions encountered
- B Areas with exceptional concentrations of endemic species AND significant habitat loss (>70% original extent); the 36 recognized hotspots together hold over half of the world's plant species despite covering only 2.4% of Earth's land surface
- C Hotspots are sometimes mistakenly thought to occur mainly within tropical countries situated near the equator, and to be rarely found within temperate or subtropical regions anywhere as frequently observed in practice in many documented cases
- D Hotspots are, somewhat counterintuitively, sometimes mistakenly thought to be regions that have lower overall biodiversity than the prevailing global average across all biomes studied according to conventional understanding in routine practice
Correct answer: B. Areas with exceptional concentrations of endemic species AND significant habitat loss (>70% original extent); the 36 recognized hotspots together hold over half of the world's plant species despite covering only 2.4% of Earth's land surface
Explanation: Biodiversity hotspots (Norman Myers, 1988, updated to 36 globally): must have >1500 endemic vascular plant species AND retain <30% of original extent. These areas have the highest concentrations of biodiversity AND face the greatest threat. Conservation priority: protecting these 36 areas would preserve majority of Earth's terrestrial biodiversity. India: Western Ghats (200+ endemic amphibians), Eastern Himalayas.
Concept context
Pollution, global warming, ozone depletion, deforestation, and sustainability. Important for NEET and general awareness.