Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, harboring nearly 10% of the planet’s biodiversity within its territory. This natural wealth is not evenly distributed; instead, it is concentrated in specific areas known as biodiversity hotspots. A hotspot is a biologically rich region that is also seriously threatened by human activity. In Colombia, two of the 36 globally recognized biodiversity hotspots are found: the Tropical Andes and Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena. These areas are crucial not only for the conservation of unique species but also for climate regulation, the water cycle, and the livelihoods of thousands of human communities.
Biodiversity hotspots in Colombia
Tropical Andes: The Most Biodiverse Mountain Paradise in the World
This hotspot stretches along the Andes mountain range, from western Venezuela to northern Argentina. In Colombia, it covers departments such as Antioquia, Cauca, Valle del Cauca, Nariño, and parts of Choco. It is considered the most biodiverse hotspot on the planet due to its stunning variety of climates, altitudes, and ecosystems, ranging from páramos and cloud forests to tropical rainforests.
It is estimated that this region is home to more than 35,000 species of plants and vertebrates, about 50% of which are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth. Notable among these are birds such as the Andean cock-of-the-rock, mammals like the spectacled bear, and a vast array of orchids, ferns, and bromeliads. The region’s diversity is partly due to the natural isolation created by mountains, which fosters the evolution of unique species in each valley or range.
However, this natural richness is under threat from deforestation, illegal mining, agricultural expansion, and the effects of climate change. As a result, various conservation strategies have been implemented, including the creation of protected areas such as Los Nevados National Natural Park and the promotion of biological corridors that connect fragmented ecosystems.
@hesai_geography Andes Colombianos 🇨🇴 una de las regiones más hermosas y biodiversas de nuestro país, se divide en 3 ramales principales (occidental, central y oriental) los cuales poseen algunos de los picos y volcanes nevados más altos de nuestro territorio con alturas entre los 3000 y 5365 msnm, es la región con los mayores reservorios de agua dulce del país proporcionando hasta 70% de la misma gracias a los paramos y glaciares. Créditos de los clips para IG: indio_nasa, andrescv_tr y foto_sintessis_ #colombia #bogota #medellin #cartagena #colombianos #colombiatravel #cordilleradelosandes #mountain #nevado #landscape #andes #southamerica #parati #foryou #Viral #forpage #recomendation #fyp ♬ Can You Hear The Music – Ludwig Göransson
Tumbes-Choco-Magdalena: The Rainiest Tropical Rainforest in Colombia
The second biodiversity hotspot extending into Colombia is Tumbes-Choco-Magdalena, which runs from southern Panama to northern Peru along the Pacific coast. In Colombia, it includes much of the Choco department, as well as parts of Valle del Cauca and Nariño, forming what is known as the Choco biogeographic region.
This area is one of the rainiest in the world, with annual rainfall exceeding 10,000 millimeters. The constant humidity creates ideal conditions for lush biodiversity. It is estimated that this hotspot harbors about 10% of the planet’s plant and animal biomass, including more than 8,000 species of plants, hundreds of bird species such as the Choco toucan and the emerald hummingbird, as well as unique mammals like the spider monkey and brightly colored poisonous frogs.
In addition to its biodiversity, the Choco region is rich in culture, home to Afro-descendant and Indigenous communities that have developed ancestral knowledge in harmony with their environment. However, the area also faces serious threats such as illegal logging, mining, and poorly planned infrastructure development.