Which one among the following statements is not correct?

Statement 4 is incorrect because the South-East Asian islands are exceptionally rich in biodiversity and contain multiple recognized hotspots. The Sundaland hotspot, which includes parts of Indonesia and Malaysia, is noted for having approximately 15,000 endemic plant species [5]. Additionally, the Wallacea hotspot (Eastern Indonesia) is described as having such varied fauna and flora that every island requires protection to preserve its endemic species [1]. Regarding other options, the Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats are indeed major hotspots in India [2]. The Mesoamerica hotspot encompasses Central American highland and lowland forests [3]. Furthermore, most biodiversity hotspots are geographically concentrated in tropical and subtropical regions where high temperature and humidity support high species richness [4]. Therefore, the claim that South-East Asian islands are not rich in biodiversity is factually wrong.

Sources

1. [3] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 14: Biodiversity and Conservation > CONSERVATION OF BIODIVERSITY > p. 118
2. [5] https://www.bbau.ac.in/Docs/FoundationCourse/TM/Biodiversity%20Hotspots%20in%20India.pdf
3. [1] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > Himalayas and east and south east Asia > p. 9
4. [2] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > Himalayas and east and south east Asia > p. 8
5. [4] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > BIodIversIty Hotspots. > p. 5