BIODIVERSITY

Learning objectives
Learning Objectives
After completion the lesson on Biodiversity , the students should be able to
1. define biodiversity
2. differentiate the categories of biodiversity
3. give the importance of biodiversity
4. identify the cause of loss of biodiversity
5. give some examples of endangered species and explain the reasons for the
conservations of species
6. explain the causes of extinction
7. cite programs in the government to save endangered plants and animals
Biodiversity is the amount of variety of life on Earth. It is the number
of different species of plants, animals and microorganism. It includes
organisms from earth ‘s vastly different ecosystems including
deserts, rainforests, coral reefs, grassland, tundra, taiga and polar ice
caps.
 CATEGORIES OF
BIODIVERSITY
* 1. SPECIES DIVERSITY
refers to the variety of species within a region or community.
measured used is through taxonomic diversity

What causes species diversity

the composition of species in a given ecosystem is the result of long lasting
evolution,( temperature range, availability of of food or light ) enabling
the species t reproduce and thus maintain its populations

* GENETIC DIVERSITY
it is the sum total of genetic
2. ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY
It refers to the varied habitats, biotic communities and ecological processes
in the biosphere as well as the tremendous diversity within ecosystems in
terms of habitat differences and the variety of ecological processes.
. Some of examples of ecosystems that are rich in diversity are Deserts,
Forests, Large marine ecosystems, Rainforests, Tundra, Coral reefs
. GENETIC
2 DIVERSITY
it is the sum total of genetic information, contained in the genes information,
contained in the genes of individual organisms that inhabit the earth .

What causes genetic diversity

Genetic variation can be caused by mutation( which can create entirely new alleles
in a population ] random mating, random fertilization, and recombination between
homologous chromosomes during meiosis ( which reshuffles alleles within an
organisms offspring}
 ACTIVITY I

Cite the importance of the following in biodiversity: Choose only one

a. Species diversity
b. Ecosystem diversity
c. Genetic diversity
 Importance of Biodiversity
1. As to ecosystem . Healthy ecosystem and rich biodiversity
> Increase ecosystem productivity, each species in an ecosystem has a specific niche a role to play
> Support a large number of plant species , therefore a greater variety of crops
> Protect fresh water resources
> Promotes soil formation and protection
> Provides for nutrient storage and recycling
> Aid in breaking down pollutants
> Contribute to climate stability
> Provide more food resources, medicinal resources and pharmaceutical drugs
> Offer environments for creation an tourism
o
 ACTIVITY 2

What is the importance of Biodiversity in terms of the ff: Choose

only one
a. Human health c. food security
b. Society d. ecosystem
Why biodiversity decreases
* Habitat destruction
* Overexploitation
* introduced and invasive species
* Hybridization, genetic pollution, erosion and food security
* Climate change
* Human overpopulation
 Activity 3
Among the causes of Biodiversity depletion, what do you consider may
contributes most Why?
Classification of plants and animals according
to the number of their living kind
1. Endangered(E) are those animals and plants have a few number of living in
their kind.
2. Rare(R) these are the animals and plants that are almost extinct and are hard
to find.
3. Critically endangered these are animals and plants that are very hard to find
due to that they are highly for extinction
4. Threatened (T) are species and subspecies of wildlife whose populations
throughout the islands where, they are found have suffered high degree of
depletions to the point of having their numbers reduced to the minimum,below
which subspecies will totally become extinct.
5. Vulnerable(V) Species and subspecies of wildlife whose populations are still
sizeable but are under threat from serious adverse factors through their range
and are believed likely to move to the endangered category in the near future.
6. Indeterminate (I) species and subspecies of wildlife whose populations are
suspected of belonging yo either one of the E,V and R categories .
7. Insufficiently known(K) species and subspecies of wildlife that are suspected
but not definitely known to belong to any of the above categories because of
the lack of information.
 Causes of Extinction
1. Population risk – random variations in population rates can cause a species in
low abundance to become extinct .
Example : a blue whales swim over vast areas but encountered difficulty in
finding mates this reduced their population.
2. Environmental risk-population size can be affected by changes in the
environment that occur. This involves variation in the physical or biological
environment, including changes in predator, prey, symbiotic or competitor
species.
3. Natural catastrophe- sudden change in the environment like Fires, major
storms, earthquakes, flood , changes in currents and upwelling and others
4. Genetic risk – detrimental change in genetic characteristics. Genetic changes
can occur in small populations from reduced genetic variations, genetic drift and
mutation. In a small population, only some of the possible inherited
characteristics will be found.
 Endangered Species in the
Philippines
1. Philippine Eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) the National Bird declared by Presidential Proclamation no. 615 in 1995
replacing Maya by President Fidel Ramos. This Eagle is considered as the largest and most powerful eagle in the
world but also rarest and most critically endangered species. This is the fact that it gives birth to only ne chick
every 2-3years means that is is highly susceptible to habitat loss. The life span is of 60 years. To date, there are
only 67 Philippies eagle left in the entire country. A law is passed them, prohibiting the hunting of the eagle
penalizing violations with stiff penalties
 mmd

2. Dugong ( Dugong dugong) as the sea cow, sea grass , 350kgs .length of 3.5 meters found in
warm, swallow water and can eat 3 kgs of sea grass daily. They are found in Palawan, Southern
Mindanao and Sulu. They are highly vulnerable. Their population decline due to the destruction
of their habitat due to dredging, pollution and conversion to fishponds.
3. Tamaraw Bubalus mindorensis) the larges endangered land animal row in the country with
horns Which grow upward about 14 to 20 inches in V form, its bulk body and short legs. The
decrease of the population is due to encroachment and disturbance caused by humans
4. The Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) called as Pawikan, color brown,grow about 4 feet and
mor than 400 pounds named after the green fats in its body , the most threatened herbivores.
The cause of their depletion due to human for decorative purposes. used as delicacies, pollution
coastal development.
5. The spotted deer is small measured 80cm tall at the shoulder found in
Panay, Negros, Leyte, Samar, the caused of the depletion due to clearing
for Agriculture, illegal operations.
6. The Golden crown flying fox, (Chropteria Pteropodidae Acerodonjubatus) the common
pawikain
The caused of decline due to destruction and heavy hunting.
 7. The Philippine Pond Turtle (Testudines:Emidydae:Hapaemys leytenis) This commonly
known as Pagong. This classified as rare , found in Leyte, Taytay and Northern Palawan
 ACTIVITY 4

Among the endangered species mentioned what would you like to save
most ? Why?
 Endangered Flora
Several plants found only in the Philippines are endangered of disappearing may caused by the f
Human mismanagement on biological resources such as
deforestation, trade, and excessive extraction
According to DENR ‘s report the country has about 12,000 species of plants, more than 8.000
flowering plants , the rests are ferns, mosses , hipaticae, liverworts, fungi and algae
Endangered plants are divided into three(3) categories
1. Immediate endangered species
2. Vulnerable
3. potentially threatened species
 This includes almaciga, takotob, igem, palasan, lambio, kamagong, due to continued
destructions of wild stocks for commercial stocks
The rare species are the mono, ungang , lacuabi and katbalonga, the Almaciga and kalantos
are near extinction.
Other species near extinction are batikuling, dungon, ipil, mangkono, sangilo, supa, tindalo,
yakal, kaliot, Mindoro pine, dao and narra.
Benefits from the following endangered plants
Almaciga, expensive woods in the Philippine used for engineering equipment, ruler, panel
boards, general construction, piano and guitar bodies, packaging dairy and agricultural products.
Supa highly valued in furniture, cabinet work , flooring, tool handles
Waling waling an orhid plant
 Reasons for the Conservation of

Endangered Species
Some reasons for the conserving can be classified as
1. Utilitarian justification – it is based on the fact that many wild life might be useful and it is
imprudent to destroy them before they can be tested to test their uses. The first is the need
is to conserve wild strains of grains and other crops. Using the wild to new hybrid strains
may developed as disease resistant, chemical compounds come from wild animals. Digitalis
drug for heart ailments come from purple foxglove. Well-known medicines for anticancer
drugs came from well-known medicines from tropical fungi. Many species provide pollution
control.
2. Ecological justification is necessary to maintain the functions of ecosystem and the
biosphere. Trees remove certain pollutants in the air,bacteria fix nitrogen in the air
3. Aesthetic justification , biological diversity adds to the quality of life, providing some of the
most beautiful and appealing aspects of our existence.
 REASONS FOR THE
CONSERVAION OF ENDAGERED
SPECIES
1. UTILITARIAN JUSTIFICATON
it is based on the fact that many wild llife might be useful and it is imprudent to destroy
them before they can be tested to test their uses. The first is the need is to conserve with strains of
grains and other crops/ Using the wild to new hybrid strains may developed as disease resistant ,
chemicals come from wild animals . Digitalis drug for heart ailments come from purple foxglove.
Well-known medicines for anticancer drugs came from well-known medicines from tropical fungi.
Many species provide pollution control
2. ECOLOGICAL JUSTIFICATION
is necessary to maintain the functions of ecosystem and the biosphere . Trees remove certain
pollutants in the air bacteria and fix nitrogen on the air
3. AESTHETIC JUSTIFICATION biological diversity adds to the quality of life, providing some of the
most beautiful and appealing aspects of our existence.
4. Moral justification is based on the belief that species have a moral right to
exist, independent of our need for them.
5. Cultural justification – diversity in forests and wildlife provides food , shelter,
tools , materials for clothing and medicine.
 ACTIVITY 5

Among the mentioned reasons for conserving endangered species

what do you consider the best justification to conserve the endangered species?
Why? Choose only one justification
 Government program to conserve biodiversity
1. OPLAN SAGIP GUBAT
This was implemented in an effort to save and protect the remaining old growth Forests of the Philippines
and preserve its biodiversity. It imposes total logging ban in old growth forests and took effect last January 1,
1992
2. Protected Areas an Wildlife Management.
The passage of NIPAS Act of 1992 or the Act of Providing for the establishment and management of
protected areas. Forest Land Management Agreement(FLMA) gives reforestation contractors the privilege to
manage and protect the areas they reforested
3. Community Forest Program
Kagubatang Pamayanan aimed to arrest forest destruction, gradual restoration of forest cover in denuded
areas and the same providing some means of livelihood for upland dwellers
The program is an alternative to kaingin farming.
References
Ecology Books . Biology Books
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