Question

Why are the galapagos islands called a biodiversity hotspot?

Answer 1

A biodiversity hotspot is an area with high biodiversity that is threatened due to human activity. The term originated with Norman Myers and specifically requires an area to have 0.5% of its vascular plants be endemic (native and restricted to that area) and to have lost at minimum 70% of its primary vegetation.

The Galapagos Islands fit this description and were included in Myers original 25 biodiverse hotspots (Myers, 2000). Below, they would be included in the hotspot off the western coast of S. America, as the islands are right off the coast of Ecuador.

Source: Myers, Norman, et al. "Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities." Nature 403.6772 (2000): 853-858.