Ryza M.

Caneos
BSES 1 -2

Ecosystem
Dynamics.
Ecosystem Selection
I find the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park
ecosystem particularly interesting due to its unique combination of
karst landscape, underground river, and diverse flora and fauna. The
park is located in the southwestern part of the Philippine Archipelago,
on the mid-western coast of Palawan. It is approximately 76 km
northwest of Puerto Princesa and 360 km southwest of Manila. The
climate in this region is typically tropical, characterized by high
temperatures and humidity throughout the year. The park
experiences a distinct wet and dry season, with heavy rainfall
occurring from June to October.

The park features a spectacular limestone karst landscape,

characterized by rugged terrain, sinkholes, and caves formed over
millions of years. The highlight of the park is its 8.2 km long
underground river, which flows directly into the sea. The lower half of
the river is brackish and influenced by tidal movements.The park
contains diverse ecosystems, including forests on ultramafic and
limestone soils, montane forests, freshwater swamp forests, and
mangrove forests. It is home to numerous endemic species, including
the Palawan peacock-pheasant, the Palawan hornbill, and the
Palawan frogmouth.

Biotic and Abiotic

Factors
Biotic Factors
Plants such as trees, ferns, and mosses that utilize sunlight to produce
energy through photosynthesis. Various animals including herbivores,
carnivores, and omnivores, ranging from insects to mammals, that
feed on primary producers and other consumers. Bacteria, fungi, and
detritivores that break down organic matter, returning nutrients to the
soil for primary producers.

Abiotic Factors
Temperature, humidity, and rainfall patterns influence plant growth
and animal behavior. The limestone karst landscape provides unique
habitats for cave-dwelling species and influences the flow of the
underground river. The presence of the underground river and its tidal
influence affects the distribution of species and provides habitat for
aquatic organisms. Different soil types support a variety of plant
species and affect nutrient availability.

These factors interconnect through complex ecological relationships.

For example, the availability of water affects plant growth, which in
turn influences the abundance and distribution of herbivores and
their predators. Decomposers play a crucial role in nutrient cycling,
breaking down organic matter and returning essential nutrients to the
soil for primary producers.
Trophic Structure
Primary Producers - Plants such as mangroves, trees, and
algae.
Primary Consumers - Herbivores like insects, small
mammals, and fish.
Secondary Consumers - Carnivores and omnivores
including snakes, birds of prey, and larger mammals.
Decomposers - Bacteria, fungi, and detritivores such as
earthworms and woodlice.

Illustration of a Food Web:

Primary Producers (Plants) → Primary Consumers
(Herbivores) → Secondary Consumers
(Carnivores/Omnivores) → Tertiary Consumers (Top
Predators)
Decomposers break down organic matter from all
trophic levels, completing the nutrient cycle.

Succession
In the park, primary succession occurs on newly exposed
limestone surfaces, where pioneer species such as lichens
and mosses colonize the barren rock. Over time, these
pioneer species create soil through their decay, allowing
other plant species to establish and form more complex
ecosystems.

Secondary succession may occur in areas of the park

affected by natural disturbances like landslides or human
activities like deforestation. Pioneer species such as grasses
and shrubs colonize these disturbed areas, followed by the
gradual establishment of more diverse plant communities.
Lichens, mosses, and grasses are examples of pioneer
species that play a crucial role in initiating ecological
succession by colonizing barren habitats and facilitating
soil formation.

Human Impact
n 2014, the World Heritage Centre and IUCN received
concerns about various threats to a designated property.
These included changes in national park boundaries
affecting critical habitats, development of farms and rubber
plantations, inadequate tourism management leading to
over-tourism, land grabbing, and illegal wildlife trade. The
State Party responded, denying boundary modifications but
acknowledging deforestation and tourism issues. They
reported efforts to improve tourism management and
combat illegal activities.
However, concerns remained about land claims, lack of
clarity on property boundaries, and insufficient data on
deforestation and wildlife trade. The Committee
recommended welcoming conservation efforts but urged
further action, including inviting a monitoring mission to
assess conservation status, clarify boundaries, and
enhance tourism management.

Ecosystem
Resilience
The park exhibits resilience to disturbances through its
diverse array of species and ecological processes. Keystone
species such as mangroves and certain tree species play
crucial roles in maintaining ecosystem stability. In the event
of disturbances like storms or human activities, these
keystone species help stabilize habitats and facilitate
recovery processes.
Additionally, the park's isolation and protected status
enable natural processes to operate without significant
human interference, allowing ecosystems to recover from
disturbances more effectively. However, ongoing monitoring
and conservation efforts are essential to ensure the long-
term resilience of the ecosystem in the face of increasing
human pressures and climate change.
Reflection
Ecosystem dynamics is a vital area of study because it helps us understand how nature
works and how different living things interact with each other and their environment. By
looking at ecosystem dynamics, scientists can figure out how ecosystems change over
time, what factors affect these changes, and what consequences these changes might
have. This knowledge is super important for conservation efforts and managing natural
resources in a sustainable way.

One big reason why studying ecosystem dynamics is crucial is because it helps us figure
out how to protect and preserve different species. Ecosystems are like big puzzles where
all the pieces fit together just right. If you take out one piece, like a certain plant or
animal, it can mess up the whole puzzle. By studying how different species depend on
each other and their surroundings, we can figure out which ones are most important and
make sure they stick around. It helps us predict how ecosystems might change in the
future. For example, if we know that a certain plant is really important for providing food
and shelter to a bunch of animals, and we see that plant is starting to disappear
because of climate change or human activities, we can predict that those animals might
also disappear if we don't do something to help.

Insights gained from studying ecosystem dynamics can also guide us in making better
decisions about how to use natural resources in a sustainable way. For instance, if we
understand how forests grow and regenerate over time, we can figure out how many
trees we can cut down without harming the ecosystem's ability to support other plants
and animals. This helps us strike a balance between using resources for our needs and
making sure those resources will still be available for future generations.

Conservation efforts also benefit from understanding ecosystem dynamics because it

helps us prioritize which areas to protect. By identifying areas that are rich in biodiversity
and where different species depend on each other in important ways, we can focus our
conservation efforts where they'll have the biggest impact.

Studying ecosystem dynamics can give us insights into how to restore ecosystems that
have been damaged by human activities. For example, if we know which species used to
live in a certain area before it was cleared for farming or development, we can work to
bring those species back and recreate a more balanced and healthy ecosystem. It is
super important for conservation efforts and sustainable management practices
because it helps us understand how nature works, predict how ecosystems might
change in the future, make better decisions about using natural resources, prioritize
conservation efforts, and restore damaged ecosystems. By learning more about
ecosystem dynamics, we can work towards a future where humans and nature can
coexist in harmony.

It enables us to recognize the intricate relationships between different components of

ecosystems. Every living organism, from tiny insects to large predators, plays a role in
maintaining the balance of an ecosystem. For instance, predators help regulate the
populations of their prey, preventing certain species from becoming too dominant and
disrupting the ecosystem's equilibrium. By understanding these relationships, we can
appreciate the importance of every species and strive to protect biodiversity.

Moreover, insights from studying ecosystem dynamics can inform land use planning and
environmental policy-making. When we comprehend how ecosystems function and the
potential impacts of human activities on them, we can develop regulations and
guidelines to minimize harm. For example, if we understand the crucial role wetlands
play in filtering water and providing habitat for various species, we can implement
measures to protect them from pollution and destruction.

Its role in addressing global challenges such as climate change. Ecosystems play a vital
role in regulating the Earth's climate by storing carbon, producing oxygen, and
influencing weather patterns. By understanding how ecosystems respond to climate
change, we can develop strategies to mitigate its effects and adapt to changing
conditions. For instance, restoring degraded forests can help sequester carbon dioxide
from the atmosphere, mitigating the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions. It fosters
interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists, policymakers, and communities.
Conservation and sustainable management require input from various fields, including
ecology, biology, economics, and sociology. By working together, we can develop holistic
approaches that consider both the ecological and socio-economic aspects of
conservation and management initiatives. For example, integrating traditional ecological
knowledge with scientific research can enhance our understanding of local ecosystems
and inform more effective conservation strategies. It is essential for conservation efforts
and sustainable management practices because it provides valuable insights into how
nature functions, predicts future changes, guides decision-making, prioritizes
conservation efforts, restores damaged ecosystems, addresses global challenges, and
fosters interdisciplinary collaboration. By investing in research and education in this field,
we can work towards a more sustainable future where humans live in harmony with
nature.

The significance of studying ecosystem dynamics cannot be overstated in the realm of

conservation and sustainable management practices. By delving into the intricate
relationships and processes within ecosystems, we gain invaluable insights that guide
our efforts to protect biodiversity, manage natural resources responsibly, and address
pressing environmental challenges such as climate change.
Through a deep understanding of ecosystem dynamics, we can identify the most
effective conservation strategies, prioritize areas for protection, and restore degraded
ecosystems. Moreover, this knowledge empowers us to make informed decisions about
land use, resource extraction, and environmental policies, ensuring that human activities
are conducted in harmony with nature rather than at its expense.
As we continue to face growing environmental threats and challenges, the importance
of studying ecosystem dynamics will only become more pronounced. By fostering
interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating traditional knowledge with scientific research,
and investing in education and awareness, we can build a brighter and more
sustainable future for generations to come.