Which term describes areas that support a rich variety of species yet occupy a small geographical area?

The term that describes areas supporting a rich variety of species while occupying a small geographical area is biodiversity hotspots. Biodiversity hotspots are regions that are both rich in endemic species—those not found anywhere else—and significantly threatened by human activities. These areas are crucial for conservation efforts because they hold a large number of species in a relatively compact space, making them priorities for protecting biodiversity.

In contrast, ecological footprint refers to the measure of human demand on Earth's ecosystems, while carrying capacity denotes the maximum number of individuals of a species that an environment can sustain without degrading. Doubling time is a term often used in population studies to describe the period it takes for a population to double in size and does not relate to ecological diversity. Understanding biodiversity hotspots is important since they play an essential role in maintaining ecological balance and species conservation.