Biodiversity Hotspots – Explanation, How Many & List

There are 36 regions across the world flagged as Biodiversity Hotspots due to their immense global biodiversity, species richness, and levels of endemism.

Importantly, most of these hotspots are endangered, so their title encourages conservation initiatives to go towards where the highest levels of biodiversity are under the highest amount of danger.

From Madagascar or the Eastern Himalayas to the Mesoamerican Forests and Sundaland, this article will provide insights into the ecological contexts, unique habitats, and species diversity of each hotspot. We explore the vast range of life across the world, and where the concept of biodiversity hotspots came from.

There are 36 regions across the world flagged as Biodiversity Hotspots due to their immense global biodiversity, species richness, and levels of endemism.

Importantly, most of these hotspots are endangered, so their title encourages conservation initiatives to go towards where the highest levels of biodiversity are under the highest amount of danger.

What are Biodiversity Hotspots?

A biodiversity hotspot is a region that holds an exceptional concentration of species found nowhere else, yet is under serious threat. To qualify, an area must meet two criteria set by Conservation International: it has to contain at least 1,500 species of endemic vascular plants (more than 0.5% of the world’s total), and it has to have lost at least 70% of its original natural vegetation.

That second criterion matters as much as the first. The label is not a measure of richness alone. It marks places where extraordinary biodiversity overlaps with extraordinary risk, which is exactly what makes them priorities for protection.

The 36 hotspots are spread across every inhabited continent. Together they cover only about 2.5% of the Earth’s land surface, yet they hold a remarkable share of its plant and animal life.

Why They Are Important

Hotspots pack a large share of the planet’s biodiversity onto a small fraction of its land. The 36 regions together support around 60% of the world’s plant, bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species, many of which live nowhere else.

Their forests, wetlands and soils store carbon and help regulate the climate. They also deliver ecosystem services people depend on directly: pollination, clean water, and fertile ground for crops.

The value is economic as well as ecological. Roughly 2 billion people live within the hotspots, and many rely on them for food, fresh water, medicine, and tourism income. Protecting these regions protects livelihoods, not just wildlife.

The 36 Biodiversity Hotspots

Africa

Cape Floristic Region

The Cape Floristic Region is one of the planet’s most substantial locations of terrestrial biodiversity, located in southwest South Africa. Spanning around 90,000 square kilometres in land surface, it’s highly notable for its immense plant diversity as well as endemism.

Its unique fynbos ecosystem is characterised by shrublands adapted to the Mediterranean climate; typically hardy, small-leaved plants.

Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa

The Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa extend from Somalia to Mozambique as well as the island of Zanzibar, consisting of mangroves, moist woodlands, and coastal forests.

It’s known for high levels of biodiversity, homing over 1,500 endemic plant species, plus threatened, rare primates such as the Tana River red colobus monkey.

Eastern Afromontane

The Eastern Afromontane spans across diverse mountain ranges in Eastern Africa, extending from Ethiopia and South Sudan to Mozambique, and parts of Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

This includes montane forests, alpine ecosystems, and grasslands, which provide tens of millions of people with freshwater.

It has over 7,000 plant species, with many found nowhere else on Earth, including the endangered mountain gorilla and Ethiopian wolf.

Guinean Forests of West Africa

The Guinean Forests of West Africa are a belt of dense tropical forests from Guinea and Sierra Leone to Cameroon, with swamp forests, savannas, and rainforests.

With high humidity and significant rainfall, they are home to over 2,250 endemic plant species and many unique animals, including over 900 bird species and almost 400 terrestrial mammals.

Horn of Africa

The Horn of Africa covers parts of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, and eastern Sudan.

It’s a rugged, dry region with arid conditions, known for about 60% plant endemism, including succulent-rich vegetation such as unique aloe or frankincense variants.

Speke’s gazelle and the Somali wild ass are examples of some of the many desert-adapted species, with some of the hottest and driest conditions in the world.

Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands

Madagascar and the nearly Indian Ocean islands are unique, isolated ecosystems with 12,000 plant species, such as the majestic traveller’s palm tree. Over 90% of the wildlife in Madagascar is found nowhere else on the planet, such as chameleons, lemurs, and baobabs.

Its tropical, varied climate is prone to monsoons, except in drier areas in southwestern Madagascar.

Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany

The Maputaland–Pondoland-Albany extends along the Indian Coast, from southern Mozambique to Eswatini. It’s made of unique subtropical habitats including savannas, coastal forests, grasslands, and wetlands.

It’s known for the ancient cycad plant which dates back millions of years, as well as the Natal forest tree frog, unique to the region.

Asia-Pacific

Eastern Himalaya

The Eastern Himalayas stretch across China, Myanmar, Nepal, and northeastern India, made up of tropical rainforests, cloud forests, montane grasslands, alpine meadows, subalpine conifer forests, as well as alluvial grasslands.

This is home to over 10,000 plant species, boasting spectacular fauna such as Bengal tigers and snow leopards, as well as the rare golden langur and red panda.

Indo-Burma

In Southeast Asia, Indo-Burma hosts evergreen and deciduous forests, karst limestone shrublands, unique coastal habitats, as well as seasonally flooded grasslands.

Endemic turtles are supported by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake.

With nearly 1,300 bird species and over 7,000 plant species, the biodiversity hotspot has distinctive wildlife, encompassing the solo, Irrawaddy dolphin, pygmy loris, white-eyed river-martin, giant ibis, and orchids.

Japan

Japan features temperate forests, coastal areas, coral reefs, wetlands, and grasslands, with unique island geography with a diverse climate across both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.

With many different species on each island, a rich biodiversity varies across habitats, such as the dense forests in the Japanese Alps, and rare plants in subtropical islands.

Mountains of Southwest China

The Mountains of Southwest China stretch across parts of Yunnan and Myanmar, Western Sichuan, and southeastern Tibet. Landscapes vary from mountain peaks to river valleys, with habitats such as alpine meadows, temperate forests, and even mixed coniferous forests that change into subtropical broadleaf forests as they descend.

The rare Gaoligong pika, giant panda, and the snow leopard are a few examples of the region’s notable wildlife.

New Caledonia

New Caledonia is a South Pacific archipelago that lies over 1,000 km east of Australia, consisting of a primary island called Grande Terre, with smaller and outlying islands.

Their unique ultramafic soils (high in heavy metals) support specialised plants, with nearly three quarters of overall plant species endemic.

The biodiversity hotspot is home to remarkable species, including the second-largest coral reef, plus some of the richest variations of lizards on Earth.

Philippines

Also an archipelago, but amazingly of over 7,000 islands, the Philippines is a stand-out biodiversity hotspot in Southeast Asia.

The major regions like Palawan, Mindanao, and Luzon, are each packed with their own diverse landscapes, ecosystems, and endemic species.

Their waters have some of the highest levels of marine biodiversity, with over 500 coral species and 1,600 fish species.

Polynesia-Micronesia

Polynesia-Micronesia spans over 4,500 islands in the Pacific, including Micronesia, Polynesia and Fiji across a vast ocean area.

With some of the richest marine biodiversity as part of the Coral Triangle, as well as over 5,000 vascular native plant species, and the ancient Degeneria trees in Fiji.

Southwest Australia

Southwest Australia is one of the world’s oldest biodiversity hotspots, with over 356,700 square metres covered within a Mediterranean-style climate. Similar to the forests of East Australia, this leads to specialised ecosystems, like eucalyptus woodlands, or kwongan heathlands.

From the Esperance Plains in the south to Shark Bay in the north, the hotspot inhabits several endemic species, including the salamanderfish.

Sundaland

The Sundaland biodiversity hotspot covers the western Indonesian archipelago, Malaysia, Bruneri, Singapore, and Malaysia, with tropical rainforests featuring some of the largest flowers in the world (such as the Rafflesia arnoldii, or the stinking corpse lily).

They have a significant 25,000 vascular plant species—over half endemic—alongside orangutans, endangered rhinoceros, and the proboscis monkey only in Borneo.

Wallacea

Wallacea bridges the ecological areas of Australia and Asia in Indonesia, with over 1,680 islands between Borneo and New Guinea.

Tropical rainforests, karst forests, and mangrove swamps are some of the common ecosystems, creating lush habitats for a vast range of endemic birds and amphibians.

Also part of the Coral Triangle, it boasts over 450 coral species, alongside sea turtles, giant clams, whale sharks and thriving marine life.

Western Ghats and Sri Lanka

The Western Ghats, a mountain range in India, transition into the highlands of Sri Lanka, forming a range of wetlands, lush rivers, and dense forests.

An amazing 4,000 flowering plant species live there across diverse elevations with ranging micro-climates.

They are home to over 500 bird species, and the endangered Asian elephant, Bengal tigers, as well as the lion-tailed macaque.

Europe and Central Asia

Caucasus

Bridging Europe and Asia, the Caucasus spans Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, plus areas in Iran, Turkey, and Russia. From alpine meadows to semi-deserts, it features nine different climate zones, supporting a fantastic range of species.

Picture lush subtropical forests in one area and then high-altitude tundra in another. The Caucasus supports the goitered gazelle, the endangered Caucasian leopard, the red deer to name a few, and a range of notable migratory birds along the Caspian Sea flyways.

Irano-Anatolian

The Irano-Anatolian hotspot in Western Asia extends across a range of countries and mountain ranges.

It has almost 2,500 species of plants, but interestingly a concentrated number along the Anatolian Diagonal in Turkey, with masses of endemic plants, including salt-tolerant species.

With over 140 mammal species, the mountainous terrain further supports wild sheep and rare Persian leopards.

Mediterranean Basin

The Mediterranean Basin lies across parts of southern Europe, the Middle East, plus North Africa, with coastal areas, mountainous regions, and a diverse range of islands.

With around 25,000 plant species, the Mediterranean Basin has some of the highest levels worldwide, with specialised plants across habitats with unique ecological conditions.

Mountains of Central Asia

The Mountains of Central Asia cover around 860,000 square kilometres across China, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.

Steppes, semi-deserts, coniferous forests and alpine meadows are few of the varied habitats, with eminent glaciers and high-altitude lakes feeding major rivers like the Syr Darya and the Am Darya.

North and Central America

California Floristic Province

The California Floristic Province is a biodiversity hotspot in Western North America, with very humid, hot summers and not so cold winters. This spans across parts of Oregon, Baja California, California, and Mexico.

With the unique chaparral, oak woodlands, coastal sage scrub, serpentine soil areas, as well as mixed evergreen and montane coniferous forests, a diverse range of microhabitats support rich biodiversity.

Caribbean Islands

The Caribbean Islands are an archipelago spanning from the Greater and Lesser Antilles to the Bahamas, with diverse ecosystems across 30 territories and nations.

Some islands include Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, Cuba, and Jamaica. The islands cover nearly 4 million square kilometres of ocean, and a significant 230,000 square kilometres of land.

Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands

The Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands feature rugged mountainous terrains, and a broad range of habitats from forests to grasslands. This lies across areas of Mexico as well as the southwestern United States.

Home to over 135 oak and 44 pine species, the dense woodlands shelter many species from larger mammals like the black bear, puma, and jaguar, to birds like the thick-billed parrot, tufted jay, and a range of endemic reptiles and amphibians.

Mesoamerica

From Panama to central Mexico, Mesoamerica is a major hotspot taking in eight countries and various islands. Its tropical lowlands and montane cloud forests bridge species from North and South America, and it forms a migratory corridor for over 225 bird species.

With 17,000 vascular plant species, more than 3,000 of them endemic, the region is not only key for global biodiversity. It also holds vast carbon-rich territories critical for climate regulation, and is home to many indigenous communities.

South America

Atlantic Forest

The Atlantic Forest stretches along Brazil into Argentina and Paraguay, a lush biodiversity hotspot despite significant threats from deforestation.

Spanning over 3,000 km, there are over 20,000 plant species in the forest, about 40% endemic.

With tropical and subtropical forests, coastal mangroves, highland Araucaria forests, and many forest corridors.

Cerrado

In Brazil, the Cerrado is the most biodiverse savannah on the planet, also extending into Bolivia and Paraguay.

With over 12,000 plant species, 251 mammal species, 800 fish and 856 bird species, the savannah ecosystem is essential for biodiversity. Notably, they host the rare Spix’s macaw, the giant armadillo and the maned wolf.

Chilean Winter Rainfall and Valdivian Forests

The Chilean Winter Rainfall and Valdivian Forests stretch from central to southern Chile and western Argentina.

With almost half of 4,000 plant species endemic, the region’s temperate rainforests, Mediterranean shrublands, and coastal shrub support isolated, adapted species amongst a broad range of biodiversity.

They host the critically endangered Andean cat, which roams the mountains and has only been pictured a handful of times by conservationists.

Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena

The Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena hotspot extends along the Pacific coast, including the dry forests of Tumbes-Piura, coasts and mangroves, plus the Chóco-Darién rainforests.

They host several distinctive primates such as several spider monkey species, bare-faced tamarins, and rice rats.

The mangrove ecosystems in Ecuador are highly endangered, with only a small fraction remaining. Many conservation initiatives are underway.

Tropical Andes

The Tropical Andes consists of montane cloud forests, Andean páramo grasslands, dry forests and humid and dry puna grasslands. The Andes mountains are a critical source of water, and the forests store around 5.4 billion tonnes of carbon.

This region hosts the largest diversity of amphibian species (with over 980 in total, and 670 of those endemic), bird species (with 1,724) and high mammal diversity.

Middle East

Arabian Peninsula

The Arabian Peninsula, covering 3 million square kilometres, features remarkable biodiversity adapted to its extreme environments.

WIths, expansive sand deserts, and mountainous regions including the Dhofar highlands or the Asir Mountains, a range of microclimates host over 600 plant species, plus wildlife such as the Nubian ibex, the Arabian oryx, and many desert-adapted reptiles and birds.

Oceania

East Melanesian Islands

The East Melanesian Islands have exceptional levels of species richness as well as endemism. They feature lowland and montane rainforests, coral reefs, freshwater lakes, amongst a diverse range of habitats.

In the southwestern Pacific Ocean, this includes over 1,600 islands of varying scale. The isolation leads to endemism, meaning majorities of species are found nowhere else on the world, such as the Solomon Islands skink, and the Bougainville monkey-faced bat.

New Zealand

New Zealand lies within the southwestern Pacific Ocean, with north and south primary islands, as well as many other smaller islands.

Around 80% of its native species are endemic, with lush temperate rainforests with ancient trees such as the beech and rimu, as well as alpine zones, coasts, wetlands, and marine lands.

Notable wildlife include kauri trees, the tuatara reptile, and the kiwi bird.

Global Oceans

Coral Triangle

In the western Pacific Ocean, the Coral Triangle is named by some as the most important part of the ocean. The marine region hosts a vast amount of marine life, and touches across parts of SouthEast Asia.

The triangle is home to 76% of the world’s coral species plus has more reef fish than anywhere else on the planet, with around 37%.

Madagascar

Madagascar is frequently referred to as the eighth continent due to its sheer diversity of flora and fauna. In the southeastern coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean, an amazing 90% of Madagascar’s wildlife is endemic.

Tropical rainforests, mangroves and coasts, dry deciduous forests as well as spiny forests make up a complex network of ecosystems, with remarkable species like lemurs, the fossa, and baobab trees.

Where Did the Biodiversity Hotspots Concept Come From

Biodiversity hotspots were introduced by British ecologist Norman Myers in 1988, to flag regions that deserve priority not only for their ecological value, but because they are highly endangered and facing severe biodiversity loss.

Conservation International adopted the idea in 1989 and later worked with Myers to refine it. A global reassessment published in the journal Nature in 2000 set the quantitative thresholds still used today and identified 25 hotspots. Further analysis raised the total to 34 in 2005, and the list stands at 36 today.

Myers’ central argument still shapes global conservation: direct limited resources to where the need is greatest.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many biodiversity hotspots are there?

There are 36. The number has grown over time as the concept was refined, from Myers’ original list to 25 in 2000, 34 in 2005, and 36 today.

What are the criteria for a biodiversity hotspot?

A region has to meet two. It must contain at least 1,500 endemic species of vascular plants (more than 0.5% of the world’s total), and it must have lost at least 70% of its original natural vegetation. Richness alone is not enough; the area also has to be under threat.

What is the newest biodiversity hotspot?

The North American Coastal Plain, recognised in 2016. It runs along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States into northeastern Mexico, and was the 36th region added to the list.

Which biodiversity hotspot is the most biodiverse?

The Tropical Andes are widely regarded as the most biodiverse hotspot. They hold the highest amphibian and bird diversity of any hotspot, along with exceptional plant and mammal diversity.

How much of the Earth do biodiversity hotspots cover?

Only about 2.5% of the planet’s land surface. Despite that small footprint, they support a large share of the world’s plant and vertebrate species, which is what makes protecting them so important.