The image of a tropical forest is likely present in your imagination: green, warm, and wet, with large trees, thick shrubs, and a wide variety of insects, birds, and mammals. This image is accurate: the tropical zone has an incredible abundance of species of plants and animals.
Species in tropical regions can account for two-thirds of all known
species on earth! Many areas within the tropical zones are considered biodiversity hotspots and are home to the world’s most rare and endangered species. Whether we are talking about mountain ranges, islands, or tropical forests, the impressive diversity of life in these areas makes them important places to protect and study. In this article we will discuss the concept of biodiversity hotspots, their locations throughout the planet, and their importance for biodiversity conservation.