From Australia to the Andes, we’re discovering new biodiversity hotspots worldwide
Scientists are discovering previously unknown species in unexpected places, according to a new study.
Australia and the Andes region are among emerging biodiversity hotspots, according to a new study that reveals species discoveries are reshaping our understanding of these areas. Researchers found that 40% of land-dwelling species have been discovered and named over the past century, with many new species identified in tropical regions like Brazil, Ecuador, and New Guinea.
In Australia, reptile diversity has more than doubled in the past century, with many species found in cooler environments like cloud and montane forests of the Andes. However, climate change is threatening these new hotspots by making them drier and warmer, posing a risk to the survival of newly discovered species. Conservation efforts must prioritize protecting these ecosystems before they lose species that have yet to be discovered.
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