St. Nick, Generally the biodiversity hotspots are tropical or semi-tropical island systems with very high mountains. Such sites have a large spread of unique climatic and orthographic conditions. In addition, if by chance or migration continental species land on such ecosystems they quickly speciate. An example: the American robin landed in Hispanola and over hundreds of year speciated, a to become the Laselle Thrush (Turdus swalesi), and more than 30% of the flora on Hispanola is endemic including Salvia paryskii , a tree. The island has 11 ecozones. cheers Paul.
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