- October 18, 2023
- 636
- Eco News
The presence of biological diversity is not only indispensable for the survival of mankind, but of the different ecosystems and their inhabitants. Biodiverse countries have to be protected in order to preserve natural resources and the health of the Earth.
As a continent, America has the most biodiverse countries in the world. Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru and the United States are the countries in this continent that have many different ecosystems and species. In Asia, the countries with the greatest biodiversity are China, India, Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia. South Africa, Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo are the most biodiverse nations of the African continent. Oceania, for its part, has Australia and Papua New Guinea as biodiversity hotspots.
The most biodiverse countries in the world are home to more than 70 % of the Earth’s biodiversity. The quantity and quality of forests, as well as the quantity living creatures, are the metrics analyzed for preparing this list of the top countries with the greatest biodiversity. Keep reading to discover them.
Brazil
This country has the greatest biodiversity of flora and fauna on the planet thanks to the presence of the Amazonia on its territory. Brazil has the highest population of species of mammals and freshwater fish. Besides, it hosts more than 50,000 species of trees and bushes.
South Africa
Being one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, South Africa contains nearly 10 % of all known species of fish, birds and plants. It also has a 6 % of the mammal and reptile species registered in the world.
Madagascar
70% of species that inhabit the Madagascar islands are totally unique. Mongoose, lemurs, bats, chameleons and foxes are some of the animals that contribute to its great richness of biodiversity. During the last decade, 385 plants, 69 amphibians, 61 reptiles, 42 invertebrates and 40 mammals were discovered within its territory.
Ecuador
This country has more species of plants per square kilometre than any other country in South America. 1,655 birds, a number that amounts to 18 % of the total discovered birds in the planet, are found in Ecuador. The 382 mammal species that live in this nation comprise 7 % of the total number of species registered in the world. Ecuador is a rich tropical region due to its privileged geographic location in the Neotropics.
Mexico
Our country is home to 12 % of the species of the planet. The reason behind this fantastic information on biodiversity is Mexico’s outstanding geographical position, the complex topography and the different climates, characteristics that have favored the emergence of a wide variety of fauna and flora. Mexico is one of the countries in the planet with the longest extension of coasts. In addition, it has an exclusive sea, known as the Gulf of California, which is the second largest reef in the world.
