Do you know what megadiverse is? In the world there are a large number of ecosystems that can become unique. In the same way, there are many areas of the planet with particular characteristics capable of housing animal species, plants, reptiles, mammals and even insects that will not be found anywhere else. This is where the concept of megadiversity starts. In this article we will let you know what these megadiverse areas are and their peculiarities. Keep reading you will be surprised!
What is Megadiverse?
The term Megadiverse refers to the variety of ecosystems found on the planet, each of these ecosystems with very peculiar characteristics. There are areas of the planet that are home to a greater amount of biological diversity and more species of animals than others, thanks to their geographical locations, climate, territorial space and another series of conditions that make it favorable for their habitat. They inhabit more than 70% of the Earth's biodiversity.
In the world there are countries classified as megadiverse, such is the case of Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua, New Guinea, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, the United States, China, the Philippines, Australia, India, South Africa, the Congo and Madagascar. These seventeen countries are home to a wide variety of plants, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, among other animals, which in some cases are unique in the world, hence their great importance and preservation.
Characteristics of Megadiversity
In order for a region or country to be classified as megadiverse, it is necessary that it meets certain criteria, such as the geographical position that it encompasses, which will determine the climate, so that most ecosystems develop very well in tropical zones or that be very close to them. Another factor is the variety in the geographical landscapes, when an area has mountains, forests, jungles, seas, rivers, lakes, it has a great possibility of hosting a large number of species of flora and fauna.
It is important that these geographical areas have a large territorial space for the growth and settlement of the various species in all their areas, since large extensions of land are required for them to grow freely. In the case of having islands or peninsulas in them, some species can become unique, thanks to their isolation, which favors their reproduction.
Why are certain Continents and Countries Megadiverse?
In the world only four continents can be considered as megadiverse, they are: America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. In general terms, these continents are home to more than 70% of the planet's biodiversity, spread over 17 countries, which have the obligation to conserve and preserve the development of all species.
America heads the list of megadiverse continents because it is home to the Amazon territory, considered the largest in the world and therefore with greater biodiversity, here is home to more than 50% of all species on the planet, spread over 7 countries. Next is Asia with five countries, Africa with three and Oceania with two, all considered as Megadivesos.
The countries that have the special characteristics to be cataloged as megadiverse are only 17, these were identified by the Center for Monitoring the Conservation of the Environment (CMCA) of the United Nations Environment Program in 1998, with the in order to raise awareness, strengthen and give importance to the preservation of species in the world. For the year 2002, the group of megadiverse countries was created for the preservation and sustainable use of biological diversity on the planet.
Megadiverse Countries
In the American continent there are only seven countries that can be considered megadiverse, thanks to their geographical location, extension of the territory occupied by the species and above all the climate and geographical landscapes.
America
In this continent, countries like Brazil are classified as mega-diverse, thanks to its large expanse of Amazon rainforest, which to date is home to more than 4 million species of animals and plants. Next is Colombia, in this country you can find 19% of the world's species. Ecuador, for its part, is considered megadiverse and a true example in terms of preservation and conservation of species.
Now, the United States has large tracts of land and therefore a great variety of ecosystems. Mexico is also a refuge for 10% of the species that occupy the Earth. Peru, has part of the Amazon jungle which makes it have a large number of animal and plant species. Last but not least is Venezuela, which has a great diversity of plants and animals, but above all it is the only one with 15% of birds in the world.
Asia
On the Asian continent, China can be considered a megadiverse country that is home to a large number of ecosystems. The Philippines, like Colombia, has a great diversity of systems, especially marine, thanks to the number of islands that make it up. Indonesia has the largest number of unique flora and animal species in the world.
India has made an effort to preserve species, which has been a true example to follow thanks to its 500 sanctuaries and 13 biosphere reserves. Malaysia has unique species but unfortunately its preservation system has not been more suitable for what is considered a risk area.
Africa
This is a continent that manages to house a large number of ecosystems thanks to its geographical elements. Such is the case of South Africa, which has an extensive diversity of typical savannah animals, concentrating 10% of the world's species. Next is Madagascar with unique species of both plants and animals, due to the fact that it is located on an island. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, for its part, has the largest jungle in the world after the Amazon, which makes it home to many species and therefore ecosystems.
Oceania
This beautiful continent is home to unique animals, including reptiles, mammals and insects. Its location on the planet allows it to be the center of various ecosystems. In Australia, you can find a large amount of fauna not only in the terrestrial environment but also in the sea, which are mostly endemic. For its part, Papua New Guinea is a country with little exploration, so new plant and animal species are being discovered every time.
Actions of the Megadiverse Countries
The countries that make up the group of megadiverse regions of the world have been working for more than a decade with common objectives such as the preservation, rescue and care of the different species they house. To this end, they promote research projects that allow the conservation of biological diversity. In addition, they seek to encourage the sustainable development of countries to stop environmental deterioration.
Establish joint laws that allow the protection of species in any of their areas. Integrate the private initiative, for the effective management of the natural capital of the mega-diverse countries oriented towards ecological conservation.
Examples of Megadiversity
As has already been observed, many countries have large numbers of animal and flora species, most of them unique in their kind, located in different areas of the planet. Now we detail some of these species by region so that you can have a better view of it.
China, for example, is home to more than 30.000 plants and 14% of the world's animals. Colombia has in its territory 456 species of mammals and more than 55000 species of plants. Australia is a country that is almost entirely protected, it has unique species such as the kangaroo, the koala, the platypus, possum and Tasmanian devils, in addition to having a wide variety of eucalyptus and acacia trees. Madagascar has 32 species of primates unique in the world and 28 species of bats.
Brazil, for having the largest extension of the Amazon rainforest, has the largest number of mammals in the world and more than 3000 freshwater fish, in addition to 517 species of amphibians among other species. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, you can find large mammals such as elephants, leopards, lions, chimpanzees and giraffes. Venezuela has the largest reservoir of plants with some 15.500 species and 1200 species of fish.
This is to name a few countries with the highest amount of biodiversity in the world.
Fun facts
Did you know that Madagascar is home to more than half of the world's chameleon species? In Venezuela it is estimated that there are at least 110 thousand three hundred species of insects. Colombia is home to 5 biosphere reserves throughout its five regions, making it the second among the most biodiverse countries in the world. Australia has the largest barrier reef in the world and therefore the most important living structure because, thanks to its 348.700 km², it is home to a large number of marine species.
If you want to know more about What is Megadiverse, watch the following video and you will learn much more about Biodiversity:
https://youtu.be/_SzOWbBrUJ0
To learn more about the Environment, go ahead and follow these links!
Difference Between Ecology and Environment
Activities for the Care of the Environment