An area can qualify as a biodiversity hotspot if it meets the following two conditions:
The area must have at least "1500 species of vascular endemic plants". In other words, the area must have "high percentage of plant life" which is not found anywhere else on the earth and is unique to that particular area.
The area must have lost at least 70% of its native vegetation. The area must be a threatened area and must not have more than 30% of the native vegetation remaining.
