Hotspots - *Les 34 points chauds de la biodiversité (99) Images supplémentaires...
The concept of biodiversity hotspots was defined by the British ecologist Norman Myers in 1988, in order to identify the areas of the world that are most important to protect in order to conserve biodiversity. There are now 34 regions of the world listed as biodiversity hotspots, and each has a high percentage of endemic animal and plant species and has lost at least 70% of its original vegetation. Various organisations are involved in conservation programmes related to biodiversity hotspots, including the Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund and Conservation International.


Red-crowned Cranes (Grus japonensis) displaying at dawn Hokkaido, Japan, February. Did you know? Red crowned cranes mate for life.
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David Tipling / Red-crowned Cranes (Grus japonensis) displaying at dawn Hokkaido, Japan, February. Did you know? Red crowned cranes mate for life.
Wolf-Volcano giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra becki) portrait with ground finch (Geospiza sp. ) sitting on foot, Isabela Island, Galapagos. Did you know? Galapagos tortoises have a mutualistic relati...
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Tui De Roy / Wolf-Volcano giant tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra becki) portrait with ground finch (Geospiza sp. ) sitting on foot, Isabela Island, Galapagos. Did you know? Galapagos tortoises have a mutualistic relati...
Green / Double-crested basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons) running across water surface, Santa Rita, Costa Rica. Did you know? This amazing lizard is colloquially known as the 'Jesus Christ lizard' for i...
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Bence Mate / Green / Double-crested basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons) running across water surface, Santa Rita, Costa Rica. Did you know? This amazing lizard is colloquially known as the 'Jesus Christ lizard' for i...
Amazilia hummingbird (Amazilia amazilia) flying to Agave flower to feed on it, Chaparri Ecological Reserve, Peru, South America
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Eric Baccega / Amazilia hummingbird (Amazilia amazilia) flying to Agave flower to feed on it, Chaparri Ecological Reserve, Peru, South America
Morning sun rays breaking through the tree trunks,  of Redwood National Park, California, USA. June 2008.
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Floris van Breugel / Morning sun rays breaking through the tree trunks, of Redwood National Park, California, USA. June 2008.
Marine Iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), the only marine lizard, basking on volcanic rocks. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America. Book plate from Mark Carwardine's Ultimate Wildlife Experiences.
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Mark Carwardine / Marine Iguanas (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), the only marine lizard, basking on volcanic rocks. Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, South America. Book plate from Mark Carwardine's Ultimate Wildlife Experiences.
Ring tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta) silhouetted, Madagascar.
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Andy Rouse,Andy Rouse / Ring tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta) silhouetted, Madagascar.
Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) wild bird visiting rehabilitation center, Kondor Huasi Rehabilitation Center, Hacienda Zuleta, Cayambe, Ecuador. Did you know? The Andean Condor is a national symbol of...
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Tui De Roy / Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) wild bird visiting rehabilitation center, Kondor Huasi Rehabilitation Center, Hacienda Zuleta, Cayambe, Ecuador. Did you know? The Andean Condor is a national symbol of...
Mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei) silverback in Susa group, Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda
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Andy Rouse / Mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei) silverback in Susa group, Parc National des Volcans, Rwanda
Male Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruvianus) displaying. Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, Peru, August.
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Hermann Brehm / Male Andean Cock-of-the-Rock (Rupicola peruvianus) displaying. Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, Peru, August.
Spectacled / Andean Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) cub in tree, Maquipucuna Foundation Cloud Forest Reserve, Andes, Ecuador, South America
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Pete Oxford / Spectacled / Andean Bear (Tremarctos ornatus) cub in tree, Maquipucuna Foundation Cloud Forest Reserve, Andes, Ecuador, South America
Male green Darwin's Frog (Rhinoderma darwinii) with young in vocal pouch, Chile, December 2012, Vulnerable species
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Bert Willaert / Male green Darwin's Frog (Rhinoderma darwinii) with young in vocal pouch, Chile, December 2012, Vulnerable species