GenEd

2020-2021

GLOBAL RECIPROCAL COLLEGES

GENERAL EDUCATION
SCIENCE

Prepared by:

Peter Simon D. Belisario

 GLOBAL RECIPROCAL COLLEGES

WEEK 13
PHILIPPINE BIODIVERSITY

I. LEARNING OUTCOMES
• Define and identify the levels of biodiversity.
• Explain the status of Philippine Biodiversity.
• Enumerate the importance of Biodiversity.
• Elucidate the factors that caused Philippine Biodiversity loss.

II. DISCUSSION

The Philippines has long been recognized as one of the richest countries in terms of flora and
fauna and other living forms.

The richness in biodiversity is in part owing to its complex geological and geographical history.

The country has an exceptionally high concentration of endemic species.

Philippines was considered one of the top hotspots in terms of biodiversity loss in the world
and the highest of endangered species.

The Philippines is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire and Circum-Pacific Belt.

17 active volcanoes
421 major rivers
79 lakes

Biodiversity

Refers to all varieties of life forms on Earth.

Pertains to relative abundance and richness of the different traits, species, and ecosystems in
a particular area or region.

Levels or Sources of Biodiversity

Molecular Diversity – it occurs in one individual, between individuals of the same species,
between related species, within and between phyla and ecosystems, and throughout evolution.

Genetic Diversity – refers to a variety of expressed traits or genes within the species

Species Diversity – refers to a variety of species or diversity between species.

Ecosystem Diversity – refers to a variety of species among systems in a given area.

Importance of Biodiversity

Ecological Importance – biodiversity is the key working parts of the natural ecosystem.
Maintenance of gaseous composition of atmosphere
Regulation of global climate

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Generation and maintenance of soils

Recycling of nutrients and waste products
Biological control of pest species

Economic Importance – biodiversity provides the basic materials needed by man to exist such
as food, clothing and shelter.

Aesthetic Importance – biodiversity provides a sense of satisfaction and pride in knowing that
there are rare flora and fauna that exist in the area.

Cultural and Spiritual Importance – biodiversity has an intrinsic value that it is worth protecting
for human survival and heritage.

Factors that Caused Philippine Biodiversity Loss

Anthropogenic Factors
Habitat Alteration or Destruction – massive deforestation and conversion of forestland to
other uses.

Over-harvesting – commercial logging, community logging, timber poaching and kaingin

Environmental Pollution – destructive fishing practices; domestic, agricultural and

industrial waste; pollution can lead to diseases and population stresses.

Climate Change – drastic changes in the atmosphere can have catastrophic effects.

Introduced Species (Invasive Species) – introduced species can change the entire
habitat placing the ecosystem at risk.

Encroachment of Habitat – Economic activities such as mining, forestry, fishing, and

industry disturb the balance of the ecosystem.

Natural Forces
Volcanic eruptions
Earthquakes
Typhoons
Forest fires
Predation and competition

Underlying Causes of the Loss of Philippine Biodiversity

Population growth and increasing resource consumption

Ignorance about the species and ecosystems

Poorly conceived policies and poor law enforcement

Effects of global trading systems

Inequity of resource distribution

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Apathy of failure to account for the value of biodiversity

Interaction of underlying causes

Conservation and Management of Biodiversity

In situ Conservation – it is the process of protecting species in its natural habitat, either by
establishment and management of protected areas where the species abound, or by defending
the species form predators.

Ex situ Conservation – the process of protecting species outside of its natural habitat by
removing a species from its threatened habitat and placing it in a new location.

Biodiversity Prospecting (Bioprospecting) – this involves searching for, collecting, examining,

and deriving genetic material from samples of biological resources that have features and
might be of value for commercialized pharmaceutical, agricultural, industrial, or chemical
processing end products.

III. ACTIVITIES

How has deforestation of large areas contributed to an increase in atmospheric CO2?

What are the underlying socioeconomic forces and circumstances driving biodiversity loss?

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
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Enumerate ways on how to help conserve and protect the endemic species in your region?

IV. SUMMARY

The Philippines is one of 18 mega-biodiverse countries of the world, containing two-thirds

of the earth’s biodiversity and between 70% and 80% of the world’s plant and animal species.
The Philippines ranks fifth in the number of plant species and maintains 5% of the world’s flora.
Species endemism is very high, covering at least 25 genera of plants and 49% of terrestrial
wildlife, while the country ranks fourth in bird endemism. The Philippines is also one of the world’s
biodiversity hotspots with at least 700 threatened species, thus making it one of the top global
conservation areas. The national list of threatened faunal species was established in 2004 and
includes 42 species of land mammals, 127 species of birds, 24 species of reptiles and 14 species
of amphibians. In terms of fishes, the Philippines counts at least 3,214 species, of which about
121 are endemic and 76 threatened. In 2007, an administrative order issued by the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources established a national list of threatened plant species,
indicating that 99 species were critically endangered, 187 were endangered, 176 vulnerable as
well as 64 other threatened species.

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V. ASESSMENT TASK

True or false. Write true if the statement is correct, and write false otherwise.

1. Philippines was considered one of the top hotspots in terms of biodiversity loss in the world
and the highest of endangered species. _____ True

2. Biodiversity brings together the different species and forms of life (animal, plant,
entomological and other) and their variability, that is to say, their dynamics of evolution in their
ecosystems. _____ true

3. The Philippines is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire and Circum-Pacific Belt. _____ True

4. Genetic diversity refers to a variety of species or diversity between species. _____ False

5. In situ conservation is the process of protecting species in its natural habitat, either by
establishment and management of protected areas where the species abound, or by defending
the species form predators. _____ True

6. Ignorance about the species and ecosystems make the situation worse because of
inhumane activities. _____ True

7. Biodiversity provides a sense of satisfaction and pride in knowing that there are rare flora
and fauna that exist in the area. _____ true

8. Economic activities such as mining, forestry, fishing, and industry disturb the balance of the
ecosystem. _____ True

9. Commercial logging, community logging, timber poaching and kaingin is not considered as
anthropogenic factor. _____ False

10. The Philippines has long been recognized as one of the richest countries in terms of flora
and fauna and other living forms. _____ True

VI. ASSIGNMENT

1. What is air pollution, it’s causes and kinds?

2. Discuss the relationship of greenhouse effect, global warming and climate change.

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References
Dictionary.com. (2020, August 11). Retrieved from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/wellness:
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/wellness

Science Daily. (2020, July). Retrieved from www.sciencedaily.com:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/water_resources.htm#:~:text=Water%20resources%20ar
e%20sources%20of,human%20uses%20require%20fresh%20water.

Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. (2020, June 14). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adaptation#:~:text=1.,a%20given%20set%20of%20habitats.

Unday, J.E. (2012). Introduction to Environmental Science. Quezon City: Maxcor Publishing.

- Cadiz, A. P. (2015). Environmental Science : A Modular Approach. Minshapers Publishing.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
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2020-2021