Biodiversity Hotspots

Biodiversity hotspots are modern day Eden’s, they are regions with a high levels of endemic species, a species that is unique to its own place or region. Species that are endemic to an area can easily become endangered or extinct because of their natural restricted habitat and vulnerability to the actions of humans, including the introduction of new organisms. Endemic species are vulnerable because of the fact that they only exist in a small defined area, if that area changes or disappears that species has no means of survival. Hotspots unfortunately tend to occur near areas of dense human habitation. Most of these hotspots are located in the tropics and most of them are forests.

Selected Terrestrial Hotspots
- Hawaii dry and tropical moist forests
- California Floristic Province
- Madrean pine-oak woodlands
- Caribbean Islands
- Tropical Andes
- Mediterranean Basin
- Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands
- Philippines and Japan
Marine Hotspots
- Philippines
- Gulf of Guinea (off the west coast of Africa)
- Sunda Islands, Indonesia
- Southern Mascarene Islands (Indian Ocean)
- Eastern coastal waters of South Africa
- Northern Indian Ocean
- Waters of southern Japan, Taiwan, and southern China
- Cape Verde Islands (off West Africa)
- Western Caribbean
- Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

As stewards of God’s creation these biodiversity hotspots should be a large concern of ours. The destruction of these habitats puts more species at risk than any other place on Earth. As shown in the flood story we are not to protect certain species, but all species. God made a covenant with all of Creation, and it is our task to protect them so that covenant may remain. If these hotspots are an indication of high risk areas, then they should be an indication to us, as stewards, of areas of high concern. The protection of biodiversity hotspots is vital to the protection of biodiversity as a whole. Tending to the areas of the garden with the greatest diversity and at the greatest risk leads to a healthier garden overall.

MORE INFORMATION
Biodiversity Hotspots
BBC News, Biodiversity Hotspots
Hotspot, California on the Edge

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