The wildfires in Australia and the Amazon that began in 2019 have left images went viral worldwide. The fear of losing some of the most bio-diverse spaces on Earth has put in the spotlight the need to conserve them and, for this, it is necessary to protect their biodiversity, which human beings also depend on. One way to preserve this wildlife treasure is to enhance it like the UNESCO organization with the World Heritage List. This list includes 252 sites known for their natural value, covering nearly 0.8% of the Earth’s surface.
However, we must keep in mind that there are areas with exceptional biodiverse values that are not on the World Heritage List; that is to say, there are imbalances between this list and the distribution of the planet’s biodiversity. With this idea, in 1997, researcher Russel Mittermeier developed the concept of megadiverse countries and determined that the 17 most diverse countries in the world occupy less than 10% of the planet’s surface and are home to 70% of the recognized species.
WHAT DOES A COUNTRY NEED TO BE MEGADIVERSE ?
The main criterion is endemism and countries must have:
The 17 megadiverse countries are assessed globally based on the number and level of endemic species present and, although there are no boundaries in nature, this classification can be used to raise awareness and protect the biodiversity, especially in the country where it is most abundant and, in many cases brittle. Whether recognized by UNESCO or not, these countries cherish an exceptional biodiversity that deserves to be preserved.
Bordering between Colombia and Peru, Ecuador is the smallest country on the list and, surrounded by megadiverse countries, can boast of being a small natural treasure. The Galapagos Islands have a lot to do with this, as they are distinguished by the wide variety of endemic species they possess. However, Ecuador is much more: it has thirty volcanoes, many lakes and part of the Amazon rainforest that, although small (less than 2%), lacks nothing: between rivers and luxuriant vegetation, toucans, macaws, squirrel monkeys and sloths.
National Geographic https://bit.ly/3aMhUPP
