Hot spots of biodiversity means

Options

A. Areas of Earth that contain many endemic species
B. Species serves as proxy for entire community in particular areas
C. Species in particular niche/area
D. Species diversity at particular area

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding Biodiversity Hotspots**: Biodiversity hotspots refer to specific biogeographic regions that are rich in biodiversity but are also under significant threat from human activities and environmental changes.

2. **Criteria for Biodiversity Hotspots**: To qualify as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must meet two main criteria:
- It must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics (species that are not found anywhere else in the world).
- It must have lost at least 70% of its original habitat.

3. **Significance of Hotspots**: These regions are crucial because they are reservoirs of biodiversity, meaning they support a large number of species, including many that are unique to those areas.

4. **Examples of Biodiversity Hotspots**: Some well-known biodiversity hotspots include:
- The Western Ghats and Sri Lanka
- The Indo-Burma region
- The Himalayas

5. **Impact of Habitat Loss**: The biodiversity hotspots are facing severe threats due to habitat destruction, which can lead to a significant loss of species. Protecting these hotspots is essential to prevent further loss of biodiversity.

6. **Conclusion**: Based on the definitions and criteria discussed, the correct interpretation of biodiversity hotspots is that they are areas of the Earth that contain many endemic species and are threatened by habitat loss.

**Final Answer**: Hotspots of biodiversity mean areas of the Earth that contain many endemic species.

---