Correct Answer: Conservation International

Solution : The correct answer is (D) Conservation International.

The term "biodiversity hotspot" was coined by Conservation International, an environmental organization, in collaboration with Dr. Norman Myers, an environmentalist and conservation biologist. In 1988, Dr. Myers introduced the concept of biodiversity hotspots in an article published in the journal "The Environmentalist."

Biodiversity hotspots are regions characterized by exceptionally high levels of plant and animal species diversity, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. These regions also face significant threats and are experiencing rapid habitat loss and degradation.

Conservation International identified these hotspots based on two main criteria: 1) The hotspot must have at least 1,500 endemic plant species (species found nowhere else) and 2) The hotspot must have lost at least 70 % of its original habitat.

The concept of biodiversity hotspots has been widely used in conservation planning and prioritization. It helps to focus conservation efforts on areas that are both biologically significant and highly threatened, aiming to protect and preserve the unique species and ecosystems found within these hotspots.