Major Biodiversity Hotspots in Oceania

Seven important biodiversity hotspots, including the Coral Triangle, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Polynesia-Micronesia, Southwest Australia, and the East Melanesian Islands, are located in Oceania, a diverse region of the Pacific. These hotspots are significant in terms of global biodiversity because they are home to a broad variety of rare plants and animals. These hotspots' ecosystems are under threat from a number of factors, including human activity and climate change.

It is essential to comprehend and safeguard these hotspots in order to maintain Oceania's rich biodiversity and guarantee the sustainability of its natural resources.

Features of Major Biodiversity Hotspots in Oceania

Here are the descriptions about seven major biodiversity hotspots of Oceania −

East Melanesian Islands

The Solomons-Vanuatu-Bismarck moist forests, commonly referred to as the East Melanesian Islands, is a biogeographic region in Oceania's Melanesia subregion. The East Melanesian Islands are located in the Australasian region biogeographically. It is notable for the variety of species and its distinctive flora and fauna. The Bismarck Archipelago, which includes the Admiralty Islands, the Santa Cruz Islands, the Solomon Islands Archipelago, which includes Bougainville Island, and the Vanuatu Islands are among the 1,600 islands that make up the hotspot, which is located east and north-east of New Guinea.

Politically, the hotspot encompasses Vanuatu, all of the Solomon Islands, and the Islands Region of Papua New Guinea (including Bougainville). Many vegetation and some animals on the East Melanesian Islands were brought there by nearby neighbours.

Forests of East Australia

The forests of eastern Australia are home to more than 2,000 endemic species, which are plants that can only be found in this area. This area is known as a global biodiversity hot point. Significant rainforest remnants that date back more than a hundred million years can be found in these forests. Climate change and contemporary human activity pose a threat to these ancient woodlands. The 2019 and 2020 Australian bushfire seasons resulted in the burning of an area the size of Panama (up to 19 million acres, 7.3 million hectares), releasing hundreds of millions of tons of carbon into the atmosphere and affecting 3 billion animals. This includes the well-known koala, which is expected to go extinct by 2050 after being recently upgraded from vulnerable to endangered status.

New Caledonia

The New Caledonia Biodiversity Hotspot is situated in the South Pacific, 1,200 kilometres east of Australia. The Grande Terre main island, the smaller Loyalty Islands to the east, Belep Islands to the north, and Isle of Pines to the south make up the hotspot. There are three provinces in New Caledonia, which has a total land area of 18,576 km² (7,172 sq. mi).

The Loyalty Islands Province is a group of three islands off the east coast of mainland New Caledonia, while the North and South Provinces are on the country's main land. The ecosystems of New Caledonia have a variety of natural vegetation types, including the evergreen rainforests that previously occupied about 70% of the region.

New Zealand

With an estimated 80,000 indigenous species, New Zealand's biodiversity significantly contributes to overall global diversity. New Zealand is a "hotspot" for biodiversity that is recognized on a global scale. Our long isolation from other land masses and diversified geology and climate, which allowed for the emergence of specialized flora and fauna, are largely to blame for this high endemism.

The cultural, regulating, providing, and supporting ecosystem services that promote wealth in New Zealand are provided by biodiversity. The value of New Zealand as a tourist destination and the kiwi, our national bird, are based on the country's distinctively diversified ecosystems. Our valuable primary industries are built on fertile soils, and the different forest habitats provide the setting for tramping, a popular form of relaxation.

Polynesia-Micronesia

All of the Pacific Ocean's Micronesian and Polynesian islands, as well as Fiji, are part of the hotspot. At least 4,500 islands, representing eleven nations, eight territories, and one U.S. state, form a part of this vast area. The hotspot is one of the world's smallest in terms of land area, around the size of Switzerland, despite its extensive water coverage. Invasive animal and plant species in this area pose a threat to about three-fourths of the endangered species.

High levels of biodiversity and species endemism, great susceptibility to a variety of natural disasters, a diversity of cultures and languages, traditional traditions, and customs with an emphasis on the environment are all characteristics of the Micronesia-Polynesia Hotspot. Additionally, the local population relies heavily on marine and terrestrial resources to meet their daily needs for things like food, water, shelter, and healthcare.

Southwest Australia

Around 356,700 square kilometres of the continent's southwest are covered by the Southwest Australia Biodiversity Hotspot. The winter months see the most precipitation, and the summers are often dry. The nutrient-poor soils, which also support extensive crop operations and sheep grazing, are ideally suited to the native species. Eucalyptus woodlands and "mallee" shrubland with a predominance of Eucalyptus trees are the main plant types in this area.

Kwongan is a term coined from the Noongar language of the Aboriginal people of Western Australia to describe distinct shrubland varieties. High endemism among plants and reptiles is a characteristic of the hotspot's forest, woodlands, shrublands, and heath.

The Coral Triangle

In the western Pacific Ocean, there is a marine region known as the Coral Triangle. Six of the seven marine turtle species in the world as well as more than 2000 types of reef fish are raised in this area, which is known for its astounding diversity of corals (over 600 different species of reef-building corals alone). A staggering variety of marine life can be found in the Coral Triangle. Nearly 600 different types of coral, or 75% of the world's coral species, are present here.

These magnificent underwater gardens serve as a haven for more than 2000 different species of reef fish, and they are a crucial location for tuna spawning. In these seas, whales, dolphins, porpoises, dugongs, and whale sharks forage, reproduce, and migrate. Six of the seven species of marine turtles found worldwide reside in the Coral Triangle.

List of Major Biodiversity Hotspots in Oceania

Here is a table showcasing some of the major biodiversity hotspots in Oceania and their locations −

Biodiversity Hotspot	Location
East Melanesian Islands	Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Fiji
Forests of East Australia	Queensland and New South Wales, Australia
New Caledonia	New Caledonia, France
New Zealand	North and South Islands, New Zealand
Polynesia-Micronesia	Multiple Pacific Island nations
Southwest Australia	Western Australia
The Coral Triangle	Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea

Conclusion

Oceania, a sizable area in the Pacific Ocean, is host to a great diversity of ecosystems. The Coral Triangle, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Polynesia-Micronesia, Southwest Australia, and the East Melanesian Islands are only a few of the region's important biodiversity hotspots. These hotspots exhibit distinctive plants and animals, endemic species, and important environments.

They support the world's biodiversity and struggle with issues including invasive species, habitat loss, and climate change. The ecological balance and the existence of innumerable species depend on the protection and preservation of these hotspots.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are biodiversity hotspots in Oceania?

Biodiversity hotspots in Oceania are regions with exceptionally high levels of species diversity and endemism.

How many major biodiversity hotspots are there in Oceania?

There are seven major biodiversity hotspots in Oceania, including the Coral Triangle, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Polynesia-Micronesia, Southwest Australia, and the East Melanesian Islands.

What is the Coral Triangle known for?

The Coral Triangle is renowned for being the most diverse marine region globally, with a vast array of corals, reef fish, and marine life.

Why are biodiversity hotspots important?

Biodiversity hotspots play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting unique species, and contributing to global biodiversity.

What threats do biodiversity hotspots face?

Biodiversity hotspots are threatened by climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, and human activities that endanger the survival of many species.