Question: How do you build a biodiversity hotspot?
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A biodiversity hotspot is a region that both provides protection for a great number of wildlife and plant species and is also under threat.
![The western pygmy possum is found in a biodiversity hotspot between the Fitzgerald River and Stirling Range national parks. Photo: Picasa 2.6 KMERRIGAN@theage.com.au The western pygmy possum is found in a biodiversity hotspot between the Fitzgerald River and Stirling Range national parks. Photo: Picasa 2.6 KMERRIGAN@theage.com.au](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/1be423b7-1bfe-44fc-9f95-15d797af1e38/r0_0_1373_998_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Within the south-west Western Australian hotspot lies a little-known area that doesn't really have a name and it could be called the hotspot within the hotspot!
It's the mosaic of remnant bushland, reserves and farmland that lies between the Fitzgerald River and Stirling Range national parks. Only remnant areas remain because farming has seen the clearing of vast areas of land in this region. Even so, recent botanical surveys have identified this area as quite possibly the most floristically diverse on the planet.
![Eight of Australia's 15 listed biodiversity hotspots are located in WA. Eight of Australia's 15 listed biodiversity hotspots are located in WA.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-ct-migration/aa9c179d-8fe2-4bc2-ac9f-a0c4a8a40f1f/r0_0_482_457_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Over an area of just 2000 hectares there are more than 800 plant taxa, and amazing animals such as the honey possum and Western pygmy possum. In fact, this hotspot is the only place in the world the honey possum could have evolved due to the year-round flowering plants.
We have no idea how many plants have already been lost and today five species are threatened and 24 are priority conservation species.
Working in a biodiversity hotspot has its challenges, particularly when it comes to restoring cleared land. The fact that so much of the native vegetation was lost and that so many plants are threatened has important implications for restoration efforts. First, identifying the species combinations that suit the many and varied soil types in the area is a challenge.
The goal is generally to maintain the function of the native vegetation and support the native, endemic species. Only a small percentage of the 800 known species are available for use in regeneration. For the majority of the remaining species virtually nothing is known of their life histories or how to collect, treat and germinate their seed.
Despite these challenges, regeneration is starting to show results – revegetated areas are growing in complexity and native birds are returning in abundance and the bird insectivore richness and activity is high. So for a time at least, the restored areas are providing abundant resources such as pollen, nectar, seed and invertebrates.
So while working to protect a biodiversity hotspot has significant challenges, there are great joys and a pretty good office view most days.
Response by: Angela Sanders, ecologist, Bush Heritage Australia
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