What is the Eastern Afromontane?

The Eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot—which stretches over a curving arc of widely scattered but biogeographically similar mountains from Saudi Arabia to Mozambique and Zimbabwe—is one of the Earth’s 35 biodiversity hotspots, the most biologically rich yet threatened areas around the globe.

What is the meaning of Afromontane?

The Afromontane regions are subregions of the Afrotropical realm, one of the Earth’s eight biogeographic realms, covering the plant and animal species found in the mountains of Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula.

What is the correct definition of endemic species?

In ecology, an endemic species refers to a species that is native to where it is found. A species can be endemic to a particular small geographical area, such as a single island, or to a larger area, such as a continent.

What animals live in eastern Afromontane?

Nearly 350 reptile species are found in the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot. More than 90 species are endemic, most of which are chameleons. This includes the Rwenzori three-horned chameleon (Chamaeleo johnstoni), which looks like a miniature triceratops and can grow to a length of 30 centimeters.

Why are some countries called hotspots?

To be classified as a biodiversity hotspot, a region must have lost at least 70 percent of its original natural vegetation, usually due to human activity. There are over 30 recognized biodiversity hotspots in the world. The Andes Mountains Tropical Hotspot is the world’s most diverse hotspot.

Why is the Horn of Africa a biodiversity hotspot?

The Horn of Africa biodiversity hotspot covers more than 1.5 million km² and is one of only two hotspots that is entirely arid. This subregion has over 2,700 endemic plants and animals, including threatened antelopes, and more reptiles than anywhere in Africa. The bushlands of northeastern Kenya are found here.

What is Afroalpine?

The highest mountains in equatorial East Africa host a unique vegetation having growthforms that display convergent evolution with plants in South America’s páramo. These peaks include the volcanic Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain on the African continent at 19,340 ft asl; Mt.

Which animal is only found in India?

Endangered and Endemic species of wild animals found only in India are Asiatic Lion in Gir Forest National Park,Sangai deer at Keibul Lamjao National Park, Nilgiri Tahr and Lion Tailed Macaque at Western Ghats of India.

What are the examples of endemic?

Endemic: A characteristic of a particular population, environment, or region. Examples of endemic diseases include chicken pox that occurs at a predictable rate among young school children in the United States and malaria in some areas of Africa.

What is a keystone species?

A keystone species is an organism that helps define an entire ecosystem. Without its keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether. Keystone species have low functional redundancy.

What is the hot spot?

Mobile WiFi hotspots Did you know that you can use your iPhone or many Android smartphones as a WiFi hotspot? By turning on this feature, your phone uses its cellular data to create a WiFi hotspot. You can then connect a computer or other device to this hotspot to access the internet.

Why are hotspots so important?

Biodiversity underpins all life on Earth. Without species, there would be no air to breathe, no food to eat, no water to drink. And as the places on Earth where the most biodiversity is under the most threat, hotspots are critical to human survival.

How many species of birds are found in eastern Afromontane?

About 1,300 bird species are found in the hotspot, as are nearly 500 mammal species, including the iconic but Critically Endangered mountain gorilla ( Gorilla beringei beringei ).

Where is eastern Afromontane biodiversity hotspot located?

The Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot reaches from the top of four mountain ranges (including the highest peaks in Africa and Arabia) down to large plateaus.

Are there any trees or plants that are Afromontane?

The tree genera Afrocrania, Balthasaria, Curtisia, Ficalhoa, Hagenia, Kiggelaria, Leucosidea, Platypterocarpus, Trichocladus, Widdringtonia, and Xymalos are Afromontane endemics or near-endemics, as are the plant genera Ardisiandra, Cincinnobotrys, and Stapfiella .

What kind of development does eastern Afromontane have?

Despite its wealth in natural resources, the region is characterized by intense and pervasive poverty. The grip of poverty impedes sound, sustainable development as local people and governments adopt development models and initiatives that yield short-term, unsustainable gains.