megadiversity

Megadiversity refers to a select group of countries that harbor the vast majority of Earth's species and a large percentage of its endemic species. These nations are characterized by their extensive and varied ecosystems, often including tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and diverse mountain ranges. The concept was first formalized by scientists in the late 1980s as a way to identify countries that are critically important for global biodiversity conservation.

There is no single, definitive list of megadiverse countries, but generally, they are considered to be those that contain at least 5,000 endemic species and represent a significant portion of the world's total species. Common candidates for this designation include Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Mexico, Peru, Australia, China, Ecuador, India, Madagascar, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Africa, and Venezuela. These countries collectively hold an estimated 60-70% of the planet's biodiversity.

The immense biodiversity found in megadiverse countries is often a result of their large land areas, geographical isolation, diverse habitats, and long evolutionary histories. However, these regions also face significant threats to their biodiversity, including habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, and overexploitation of resources. Consequently, identifying and supporting megadiverse countries is a crucial strategy for global conservation efforts, focusing resources on areas with the greatest potential impact.