What do you understand by 'hotspots'?
Hotspots are areas that are rich in species diversity. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has identified certain areas as biodiversity hotspots to concentrate resources on those areas that are most vulnerable.
Hotspots are defined according to their vegetation because plants determine the primary productivity of an ecosystem. Most hotspots rely on species-rich ecosystems for food, firewood, cropland, and income from timber. These areas contain unique species, such as in Madagascar where about 85 per cent of plants and animals are found nowhere else in the world.
Explanation
The textbook defines hotspots in two contexts: first, as biodiversity hotspots identified by IUCN for conservation of vulnerable areas, and second, as areas rich in species diversity. The definition emphasizes vegetation as the determining factor since plants define primary productivity. The example of Madagascar illustrates the uniqueness of species found in hotspots.