Biodiversity in the world: the countries richest in biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of all living organisms, including humans, and the ecosystems in which they occur. Biological diversity makes life on Earth possible and contributes to people’s health and well-being. Countries rich in biodiversity are those that have a large variety of animal, plant and microorganism species. This richness can be due to a number of factors, such as the age of the ecosystem, geography, climate and human activities. Some countries are particularly rich in biodiversity because they are home to many endemic species (only found in that country).

Brazil is one of the richest countries in biodiversity in the world: about 20% of the known species are endemic to Brazil. The Amazon is particularly important for the conservation of biodiversity: occupying about 60% of the Brazilian territory, this tropical rain forest is home to a quarter of terrestrial animal species and a sixth of known plants.
Australia is very rich in biodiversity: almost 90% of Australian animals are endemic (only found in Australia), including koalas, kangaroos and platypuses. The Australian Great Barrier Reef is considered the largest marine ecosystem in the world and is very important for the conservation of biodiversity; in fact, it hosts more than 30% of known marine organisms!

Biodiversity in the world: the most diverse countries in the biosphere

A country’s high biodiversity is an indicator of its ecological well-being. The countries richest in biodiversity are also the richest in ecosystems and ecological services. This correlation was confirmed by a recent study published in the journal Science. The countries with the greatest biodiversity are those that have the largest area covered by forests, a milder climate and higher humidity. The countries with the least biodiversity, on the other hand, are those that have a drier climate, a smaller area covered by forests and lower humidity.

he areas with the greatest biodiversity are found in the Northern Hemisphere, in the Arctic and in the Antarctic. The Arctic is the region of the world with the greatest diversity of marine mammals, while the Antarctic is the region with the greatest diversity of seabirds. The countries with the greatest biodiversity are also those that have the greatest number of endemic species, i.e. species that are found nowhere else in the world. Australia is the country with the largest number of endemic mammal species, while New Zealand is the country with the largest number of endemic bird species.

The countries with the greatest biodiversity are also those that have the greatest number of endangered species. Australia is the country with the highest number of endangered species of mammals, while New Zealand is the one with the highest number of endangered species of birds. The countries with the greatest biodiversity are also those that have the greatest number of legally protected species.

 

Brasil

Brazil is a country rich in biodiversity, with approximately 56,000 species of animals and 12,000 species of plants. The country is divided into two large regions: the Amazon and the Pantanal. The Amazon is the most biodiverse region in Brazil and is home to over 30,000 animal species and 10,000 plant species. The Amazon is also the largest tropical rainforest in the world, with an area of approximately 6 million km². The rainforest is a humid and warm environment with dense and lush vegetation. Rainforest animals are adapted to humid and warm environments, and have developed strategies to survive food shortages and predation. The mammals of the Amazon are mainly similar to those found in the rest of South America, with some exceptions.

Ungulates are less common in the rainforest, while rodents and marsupials are more abundant. There are also many carnivores in the Amazon, including felines, canids, mustelids, and ursids. Reptiles are less common in the rainforest than in other tropical environments, while snakes are relatively common. There are also many amphibians in the Amazon. The fauna of the Amazon is often associated with rainforest vegetation. Most rainforest animals are arboreal, meaning they live in trees. Arboreal animals are adapted to life in trees with powerful claws and prehensile tails. Many rainforest animals are also able to fly, thanks to their large wings and large pectoral muscles.

The fauna of the Rainforest is also diversified in terms of diet, with many animals feeding on fruit, leaves, insects and other invertebrates. The Pantanal is the second most important region of Brazil in terms of biodiversity. The region is characterized by large expanses of marshy land and numerous rivers and lakes. The Pantanal is the largest wetland in the world, with an area of ​​approximately 200 thousand km². The Pantanal is home to a large number of animal species, including many mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. The mammals of the Pantanal are similar to those of the Amazon, with some exceptions. There are fewer rodent species in the Pantanal than in the Amazon, while marsupials are relatively common.

The carnivores of the Pantanal are similar to those of the Amazon, with the presence of numerous felines, canids, mustelids and Ursids. Reptiles are also abundant in the Pantanal, including numerous snakes. There are also many amphibians in the Pantanal. The fauna of the Pantanal is diversified in terms of diet, with many animals feeding on fruit, leaves, insects and other invertebrates. Many animals of the Pantanal are also able to swim well, thanks to their powerful flippers and prehensile tails. The fauna of the Pantanal is also diverse in its survival ability, with many animals being able to survive extreme conditions of heat and humidity.

 

Australia

Australia has a very diverse climate, with tropical rainforests in the north, deserts in the center and temperate forests in the south. The country is home to different  varieties of animals, including kangaroos, koalas and wallabies. Australia is home to more than 24,000 plant species and more than 1,200 animal species. The country has a high level of biodiversity, with a large number of endemic species. Australia’s rainforests are among the most biodiverse in the world and are home to a wide variety of plant and animal species. The Great Barrier Reef ( photo above), located off the coast of Australia, is the largest barrier reef system in the world. The reef is home to a wide variety of fish, coral and other marine life. Australia’s climate is influenced by a number of factors, including its location in the Southern Hemisphere, its distance from the equator, and its location in the Pacific Ocean. The country experiences a wide range of climatic conditions, from tropical to temperate.

 

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a country of great natural beauty, with rich biodiversity. The coast of the country is characterized by white beaches and crystal clear sea, with a coral reef that offers an ideal habitat for many marine animals. The hinterland is filled with verdant rainforests, mountains and volcanoes. The country is particularly rich in animal and plant species.

The fauna includes mammals such as pumas, tapirs and manatees, birds such as the ararajuba and toucan (photo above), amphibians such as the poison dart frog and the Jesus Christ lizard, and reptiles such as the boa constrictor and the American crocodile. The flora is equally diverse, with many types of endemic plants such as the orchid cattleya skinneri and the tree fern cyathea costaricensis. The country attracts tourists from all over the world due to its natural beauty, rich biodiversity and paradisiacal beaches. Costa Rica offers tourists many attractions, such as rainforests, volcanoes, beaches and natural parks.

 

Ecuador and Colombia

Ecuador and Colombia share a part of the Amazon, one of the richest biodiversity regions in the world. The Amazon forest is in fact a biodiversity hot spot, i.e. an area particularly rich in endemic species, i.e. species that are not found in other places on the planet. Ecuador and Colombia both have a large amount of endemic species, both animal and plant. Ecuador is the country with the highest density of endemic species of any country in the world. It is estimated that the country has been home to around 16,000 plant species and 5,800 animal species, of which around 30% are endemic.

This means that 1 in 3 of the species found in Ecuador are found nowhere else in the world. Most of Ecuador’s biodiversity is found in the Amazon forest, which covers about 60% of the national territory. Colombia is second only to Ecuador in the density of endemic species. The country has about 14,000 plant species and 5,200 animal species, of which about 25% are endemic. Most of Colombia’s biodiversity is found in the Amazon forest, which covers about 40% of the national territory. The two countries share many of the same animals, such as manatees, capybaras, sloths and jaguars. However, there are also many species that are only found in one of the two countries. For example, the giant otter is endemic to Ecuador, while the clouded otter is endemic to Colombia.

Other examples of animals endemic to Ecuador are the red-tailed hen mountain frog, the blue orangutan, and the green woodpecker. Other examples of animals endemic to Colombia are the platypus, the golden mountain frog and the black tapir. There are also many endemic plant species found only in Ecuador or Colombia. For example, the Ecuadorian coconut palm is endemic to Ecuador, while the Colombian coconut palm is endemic to Colombia. Other examples of plants endemic to Ecuador are the breadfruit, the Cucamonga vine and the Ecuadorian rose. Other endemic plants of Colombia are the heart tree, the Cauca vine and the Colombian prickly pear.