ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE REVIEWER 6.

Excretes
- getting rid of waste products from an organism
Module 1: Understanding the Natural (ex. urine, dead cells)
and Man-made Environment 7. Nutrients
- chemical substances essential for life
Environment - making own food
- derived from a French word “environner” means - eating organisms for food
to encircle or to surround. These includes living
and non-living things Non-Living Things
- never been alive
Living Things (Biotic) Non-Living Things (Abiotic) - not made up of cells
Water - lack of one or more features of living things
Plants Light - (ex. plastic cup, water)
Animals Sunlight
Microbes Air Dead Things
Temperature - used to be alive but not now
- was made up of cells but no longer has features
Living Things of living things or not connected
- made up of cells - (ex. timber, dead animals)
- all living things share the same essential
functions TWO COMPONENTS OF ENVIRONMENT
- (ex. human, cow, bacteria, gum tree)
1. Biotic/Biological
7 MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVING THINGS: 2. Abiotic/Non-Biological
(MRS GREN)
4 DOMAINS OF THE ENVIRONMENT
1. Moves
- self-powered movement 1. Lithosphere
2. Respires - the lithosphere is the rocky outer part of the
- conservation of energy from carbohydrates and earth
fats into energy that can be use by cells - it is made up of the brittle crust and the top part
3. Senses of the upper mantle
- sensing changes their environment - the lithosphere is the coolest and most rigid part
- responding accordingly of the earth
4. Grows - earth’s surface (land)
- irreversible changes in an organism’s mass 2. Hydrosphere
- building new cells and tissues - hydrosphere is the total amount of water on a
5. Reproduces planet
- producing a new living thing from an existing - the hydrosphere includes water that is on the
organism surface of the planet, underground, and in the
air
Sexual (2 Organisms) - a planet's hydrosphere can be liquid, vapor, or
Asexual (1 Organism) ice
- on Earth, liquid water exists on the surface in the
form of oceans, lakes and rivers
- bodies of water

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3. Atmosphere - our environment improves the quality of our
- we live at the bottom of an invisible ocean called lives
the atmosphere, a layer of gases surrounding our
planet Cells ➱ Tissues ➱ Organ ➱ Organ System ➱
- air Organism

7 LAYERS OF ATMOSPHERE The level of organization of life begins with cells.

Exosphere 700-10k KM Group of similar cells form tissues, groups of different
Thermosphere 80-700 KM tissues make up organs, and groups of organs form organ
Mesosphere 50-80 KM systems; cells, tissues, organs, and organ system
Stratosphere 10-50 KM combine to form a multicellular organism. But it did not
Troposphere 10 KM stop there because the levels of organization of life
continues from organism to biosphere.
4. Biosphere
- regions of the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION OF LIFE
atmosphere where living organisms exists
- component of natural world which living Cells
organisms exist - a cell is the smallest unit of life
- cells are often called the “building blocks of life”
TYPES OF ENVIRONMENT
TYPES OF CELL
1. Natural Environment
- natural environment means all living and non- Eukaryotic (Multicellular Prokaryotes (Single-
living things occurring naturally, meaning not or Single-Celled) Celled)
because of humans which contain a nucleus do not contains nucleus
- the universe is natural, but often the term
“natural environment” only means nature on Tissues
earth - tissues are groups of cells that have a similar
- all that is created from nature, that surround us, structure and act together to perform a specific
where we live, study, work and from which we function
use natural resources to support our needs Organ
2. Man-Made Environment - organ, in biology, a group of tissues in a living
- man-made environment is referred to as the organism that have been adapted to perform a
surroundings made by humans to provide specific function
facilities for satisfying human needs Organ System
- these are places made artificially by humans - an organ system is a group of organs that work
through planned manipulation (IGNOU, 2017) together to perform a certain function in an
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Module 2: Understanding the Biosphere and Its Organism
Functional Unit – The Ecosystems - in biology, an organism is any individual entity
that embodies the properties of life
Why is this study important? - it is a synonym for “life form”
- we depend on our environment
- people have always been fascinated with nature
- we enjoy our environment

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 LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION OF LIFE
Organism
- describes an individual
- a single, living thing and can be an animal, plan,
or a microorganism
- grow and respond to their environment
Population
- describes multiple individuals or organisms of a
single species that live within a particular
geographic area
Community
- describes two or more populations of different
species that occupy the same space at the same
time
Ecosystem
- describes both the biotic (living) and abiotic
(non-living) factors in a system
Biome
- describes organisms that occupy a certain area
- determined by primary vegetation type, the
climate of the area, and the geographic location
- the plants and animals in a biome share common
traits that are specific to the individual biome
those plants and animals inhabit
Biosphere
- describes the combination of every ecosystem
on the planet
- includes all living beings and their relationship
ECOSYSTEM AND FOOD CHAIN
Ecosystem
- where life is sustained by the interactions of
many organisms functioning together,
interacting through their physical and chemical
environments
- it was first coined by A.G. Tansley, an English
botanist, in 1935
Food Chain
- a food chain is a linear network of links in a food
web starting from producer organisms and
ending at apex predator species, detritivores, or
decomposer species
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- a food chain also shows how the organisms are
related with each other by the food they eat
- each level of a food chain represents a different
trophic level
Organisms in an ecosystem interact with one
another. One way that individuals in a community
interact is by feeding on one another. Energy, chemical
elements, and some compounds are transferred from
creature to creature along food chains, food chain is the
linkage of who feeds on whom. The more complex
linkage is called food webs. Ecologists group the
organisms in food web into trophic levels.
Tropic Levels
- from the Greek word trephein, meaning to
nourish, thus “nourishing level”
- consists of all organisms in a food web that are
the same number of feeding levels away from
the original energy source
SUN is the original source of energy in most
ecosystem. In other cases, it is the energy in certain
inorganic compounds.
TROPIC LEVELS
Primary Producers/Autotrophs (1st Level)
- it is a plants, algae, and certain bacteria produces
sugars through the process of photosynthesis,
using only energy from the sun and carbon
dioxide from the air
- don’t need to consume food from other sources
since autotrophs came from the words auto
(self) and trephein (to nourish), thus “self-
nourishing”
The following is considered as heterotrophs which is
an organism that cannot manufacture its own food by
carbon fixation and therefore derives its intake of
nutrition from other sources of carbon, mainly plant or
animal matter:
Herbivores (2nd Trophic Level)
- organisms that feed on plants, algae, or
photosynthetic bacteria
Carnivores/Meat-Eaters (3rd Trophic
Level)
- feed directly on herbivores
Omnivores
- those that feed on both plants and animals
Consumers
- are all herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore
Decomposers
- those that feed on dead organic material, are
classified in the highest trophic level in an
ecosystem
Charles Elton was the first ecologist to describe the
ecological pyramid and its principals in 1927.
The biomass, number, and energy of organisms
ranging from the producer level to the consumer level
are represented in the form of a pyramid; it is known as
the Ecological Pyramid.
The producers generally outnumber the primary
consumers and similarly, the primary consumers
outnumber the secondary consumers and lastly, apex
predators also follow the same trend as the other
consumers; wherein their numbers are considerably
lower than the secondary consumers.
Ecosystem
- it is the functional unit of biosphere where the
living organisms interact with each other and the
surrounding environment
- in other word, it is a chain of interaction between
organisms and their environment
- can be as small as an oasis in a desert, or as big
as ocean, spanning thousands of miles
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TYPES OF ECOSYSTEM
Terrestrial Ecosystem
- a terrestrial ecosystem is a land-based
community of organisms and the interactions of
biotic and abiotic components in a given area
Aquatic Ecosystem
- an aquatic ecosystem is an ecosystem in a body
of water
TYPES OF TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEM
Forest Ecosystem
- consists of several plants’ animals,
microorganisms that live in coordination with
abiotic factors of the environment
- it helps in maintaining the temperature of the
earth and are the major carbon sink
Grassland Ecosystem
- the vegetation is dominated by grasses and
herbs
- temperate grasslands and savanna grasslands
are some example of grassland ecosystem
- these are found in in savannas, steppes, and
prairies, in the temperate and tropical regions
- they exist in colder regions as well (siberian
steppe) and share some common characteristics:
semi-aridity
- flowers may be scattered along with the grass
but trees are almost non-existent
- grassland is ideal for animal-grazing
Tundra Ecosystem
- are devoid of trees and are found in cold climates
or where rainfall is scarce and is covered with
snow for years
- denotes polar regions at lower attitudes
- characterized by harsh environment conditions
similar to deserts and is usually windswept,
snow-covered and treeless
- the soil is frozen throughout the year and during
the brief summers, snow melts to produce
shallow ponds, thus giving rise to small flowers
and lichens
Deserts
- found throughout the world
- regions with very little rainfall
 - the days or hot and nights are cold
- most defining feature of this ecosystem is the
amount of precipitation it receives, which is the
least as compared to any ecosystem
- it can exist from the arctic to the tropics, not all
deserts are hot, some are windy, some contain
rocks while some have sand dunes
- flora is very rare but highly adaptive animal
species and insects are found here
TYPES OF AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM
Freshwater Ecosystem
- includes lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and
wetlands
- have no salt content
- embody plankton, algae, insects, and
amphibians and underwater plants
Marine Ecosystem
- includes seas and oceans
- have a more substantial salt content and greater
biodiversity most abundant ecosystem on the
planet
- not only enclose the oceanic bed nut also tidal
zones, salt marshes, estuaries, saltwater
swamps, coral reef, and mangroves
THE CLASSIFICATION AS PER CLIMATE CHANGE ARE:
Temperate Zones
- may have a flora of coniferous type, deciduous
type or a combination of the both types
Rainforest (Tropical) Zones
- have the most diverse plant and animal
ecosystem than any other region on the earth
- where trees grow tall and foliage is dense and
lush with a warm and humid environment, with
species right from the root level up till the
canopy
Boreal Forest Zones
- featured in the far north, with a rich population
of the coniferous trees, known as the taiga
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Ecosystem Services
- refers to services or resources provided by
environmental systems and we rely on these for
our survival
- are the benefits that nature provides to people
and making themselves aware of these benefits
may encourage them to design better habitat
management
FOUR CATEGORIES OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
Provisioning Services
- include food (e.g. fisheries), raw materials,
medicinal and generic resources
Regulating Services
- include food, storm, erosion, and climate
regulation
Cultural Services
- include tourism and recreation, history, culture,
traditions, science, knowledge, and education
Supporting Services
- includes primary production, nutrient cycling as
well as species and ecosystem protection
All of us depend on nature and ecosystem services
that provide the conditions for a decent, healthy, and
secure life.
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Module 3: Relating the Importance of
Biogeochemical Cycles for Life’s Proper
Functioning
SIX ELEMENTS THAT ARE COMMON TO ALL LIVING
THINGS:
Carbon (C)
- carbon is an essential element in the bodies of
living organisms
- it is also economically important to modern
humans, in the form of fossil fuels
Nitrogen (N)
- nitrogen is a key component of the bodies of
living organisms
- nitrogen atoms are found in all proteins and DNA
- nitrogen exists in the atmosphere as N2 gas
Hydrogen (H)
- hydrogen can be used in fuel cells to generate
electricity, or power and heat
- today, hydrogen is most commonly used in
petroleum refining and fertilizer production,
while transportation and utilities are emerging
markets
Oxygen (O)
- oxygen is essential for respiration because the
body uses it to ‘burn’ food molecules
Phosphorous (P)
- phosphorus plays an important role in an array
of cellular processes, including maintenance of
membrane structures, synthesis of biomolecules
and formation of high-energy molecules
- phosphorus is an essential nutrient found in the
macromolecules of humans and other
organisms, including DNA
Biochemical Cycles
- refers to any of the natural pathways by which
chemicals move through the biosphere and
other earth’s major systems
- it is important for life’s proper functioning
similarly, the study of this chemical cycle is
important in solving many environmental
problems (Botkin & Keller, 2011)
- the human mobilization of carbon, nitrogen, and
phosphorus from the earth’s crust and
atmosphere into the environment has increased
36, 9, and 13 times, respectively, compared to
geological sources over pre-industrial times
(Schlesinger & Bernhardt, 2013 as cited by
Galloway et al., 2014)
Why are biogeochemical cycles being key to life?
First, we have water, which is an important
driver of the other biogeochemical cycles. Carbon is a key
component of fossil fuels. Nitrogen is needed for us DNA,
RNA, and proteins. It is also an essential element for
plants and human agriculture. Phosphorus is a key
component of DNA, RNA and is one of the main
ingredients in artificial fertilizers used in agriculture.
Finally, sulfur is key to protein structure and is released
into the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels.
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Altered biogeochemical cycles together with climate
change increase the vulnerability of biodiversity, food
security, human health, and water quality to
changing climate. However, natural and managed
shifts in major biogeochemical cycles can help limit
rates of climate change (Galloway et al., 2014).
TYPES OF BIOGEOCHEMICAL CYCLES
Water Cycle
- water is essential to us and all living organisms
on earth
- in its three phases (solid, liquid, and gas), water
ties together the major parts of the earth’s
system: air, clouds, the ocean, lakes, vegetation,
snowpack, and glaciers
- the water or hydrologic cycle is probably the
most familiar material cycle that shows the
continuous movement of water within the Earth
and atmosphere or from the oceans to the
atmosphere to the land and back to the oceans
Of the water on Earth, 97.5% is saltwater and only
2.5% is freshwater. Large volume of freshwater is
stored in underground water or ice while only a small
amount is found in lakes, rivers, and streams. Water
cycle is a complex system that includes many
different processes.
Carbon-Oxygen Cycle
- carbon is the building block of life, required to
form complex molecules like proteins and DNA
- it is essential element in the bodies of living
organisms and economically important to
modern humans, in the form of fossil fuels
- carbon and oxygen are two elements that are
essential to life, they are naturally present in the
atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide and
gaseous oxygen because they’re always
circulating between the soil, the air, and the
water, living matter constantly renewed
 CARBON SERVES A DUAL PURPOSE FOR
ORGANISMS:
1. It is a structural component of organic molecules.
2. Chemical bonds in carbon compounds provide
metabolic energy
Carbon Sources
- processes that release carbon into the
atmosphere
Carbon Sinks
- processes that absorb more carbon than they
release
Nitrogen Cycle
- all plants utilize nitrogen (N) in the form of
nitrate, NO₃-and ammonium, NH ₄+ and it is the
most important nutrient for proper growth and
development of plants because of its vital role in
biochemical and physiological functions
- nitrogen cycle is one of the most important and
most complex of the global cycles
- it affects atmospheric concentrations of the
three most important human-caused
greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, and
nitrous oxide
- in natural ecosystems, nitrogen is often the
limiting nutrient, when a nutrient is limiting,
adding more of it will increase growth (e.g., it will
cause plants to grow taller than if nothing were
added)
About 78% of nitrogen are stored in the atmosphere,
but bacterial activity is essential before the plant can
use it in a process called nitrogen fixation.
Phosphorus Cycle
- phosphorus (P) is a vital nutrient for plant growth
and productivity
- it is a key component of molecules that store
energy, such as ATP (adenosine triphosphate),
DNA and lipids
- (P) is stored in rocks and found in the
atmosphere only in small particles of dust
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- (P) becomes available to organisms after it is
released from rock or salts (which are ancient
sea deposits)
At the cellular level, energy-rich, phosphorus-
containing compounds are primary participants in
energy-transfer reactions. It is usually transported in
water. Producer organisms take in inorganic phosphorus,
incorporate it into organic molecules, and then pass it on
to consumers.
The release of phosphorus from rocks and mineral
compounds is normally very slow, but mining of
fertilizers has greatly speeded its use and movement in
the environment. With its excessive use, many scientists
worry that we could use up our available resources of
phosphorus on a shorter time scale, putting our
agricultural systems at risk.
In addition, most of the (P) used in agriculture winds
up in the ocean, from field runoff or through human and
animal waste that is released to rivers.
Excess phosphates can stimulate explosive growth of
algae and photosynthetic bacteria populations (algae
blooms), upsetting ecosystem stability.
Oxygen Cycle
- the oxygen cycle is the cycle that helps move
oxygen through the three main regions of the
earth, the atmosphere, the biosphere, and the
lithosphere
- the atmosphere is of course the region of gases
that lies above the earth's surface and it is one of
the largest reservoirs of free oxygen on earth
Carbon Cycle
- the carbon cycle is nature's way of reusing
carbon atoms, which travel from the
atmosphere into organisms in the earth and then
back into the atmosphere over and over again
- most carbon is stored in rocks and sediments,
while the rest is stored in the ocean,
atmosphere, and living organisms
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Module 4: Renewable and Nonrenewable Natural
Resources
Natural Resources
- are components that exist in the world without
the input of humans
- these are diverse ranging from renewable to
nonrenewable, living to nonliving, as well as
tangible to intangible resources (Sawe, 2018)
- these resources are essential to our survival and
that of all other living organisms
- as what you have shared in the discussion
forums, all the products in the world use natural
resources as their basic component, these could
be water, air, natural chemicals or energy
- the high demand for natural resources around
the world has led to their rapid depletion, thus,
as what we have learned in the previous lessons,
the integration of economic growth and
environmental protection shall be done in
accordance with the sustainable development
approach
TWO TYPES OF NATURAL RESOURCES
1. Renewable Natural Resources
- are resources that can naturally regenerate after
use or never run out
- these include solar energy, water, natural
vegetation, animals, and wind resources
2. Nonrenewable Natural Resources
- refer to things that take too long to replenish
after use or exist in limited quantities
- these include products such as natural gas,
petroleum, crude oil, precious metals, minerals,
and rocks
RENEWABLE RESOURCES
Solar Energy
- it is converted into electricity with the use of
photovoltaic cells
- solar energy is radiant light and heat from the
sun that is harnessed using a range of ever
evolving technologies such as solar heating,
photovoltaics, solar thermal energy, solar
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architecture, molten salt power plants and
artificial photosynthesis
Wind Energy
- wind energy generates electricity by turning
wind turbines that can supply power and it can
even be stored in the power grid
- wind energy (or wind power) describes the
process by which wind is used to generate
electricity, wind turbines convert the kinetic
energy in the wind into mechanical power
Hydropower
- the mechanical energy from flowing water in
rivers and streams are used to generate
electricity
- hydropower uses a fuel – water – that is not
reduced or used up in the process, because the
water cycle is an endless, constantly recharging
system, hydropower is considered a renewable
energy
- when flowing water is captured and turned into
electricity, it is called hydroelectric power or
hydropower
Geothermal Energy
- comes from the heat generated deep within the
earth’s core, usually found at tectonic plate
boundaries near volcanic activity
- geothermal energy is heat derived within the
sub-surface of the earth, water and/or steam
carry the geothermal energy to the earth's
surface, depending on its characteristics,
geothermal energy can be used for heating and
cooling purposes or be harnessed to generate
clean electricity
Biomass
- refers to organic material from plants or animals
including wood, sewage, and ethanol (which
comes from corn or other plants)
Soil
- soil is considered a renewable resource because
it can be restored on a human timescale
Plants
- plants are a renewable resource because plants
can be used repeatedly and easily, and naturally,
replaced they can be replaced through farming,
saving seeds, breeding, taking only certain parts
of the plant without killing it
Tide
- tidal energy is the most reliable source of
renewable energy because of the continuous
change in tidal movements that occur twice a
day from the moon's gravitational force
Water
- water is a renewable resource because it
evaporates out of the oceans to clouds, which
generate rain falling on the land
- the water then runs into rivers and dams where
it is used and the waste is partially cleaned
before it makes its route to the sea, where the
cycle begins again
Wind and solar power generation provides a clean
alternative for future generations (WWF, 2003).
The largest wind power project in Southeast Asia
is the Burgos Wind Farm in Ilocos Norte, Philippines with
a capacity of 150 MW (WSP, n.d.). According to its
engineering provider, the project has received a
Certificate of Recognition during the 2015 Asia Power
Engineering International Best Renewable Energy Project
award.
The Palawan Biosphere Reserve is a cluster of
islands composed of one long main island and smaller
groups of islands around it. The 1,150,800 hectares of
the biosphere reserve include the entire Province of
Palawan Island, which is the westernmost province of the
Philippines. Palawan, which was declared as a man and
biosphere reserve in 1990.
NON-RENEWABLE RESOURCES
1. Fossil Fuels
- fossil fuels were formed within the earth from
decomposing plants and other organisms, buried
beneath layers of sediment and rock, over
millions of years to become carbon-rich deposits
- they provide electricity, heat, and
transportation, while also feeding the processes
that make a huge range of products, from steel
to plastics
- when fossil fuels are burned, they release carbon
dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which in
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turn trap heat in our atmosphere, making them
the primary contributors to global warming and
climate change (Nunez, 2019)
2. Metallic Minerals
- metallic minerals are composed of one or more
metallic elements
- when melted, a new product is formed
- usually found in igneous and metamorphic rock
formations
- good conductors of electricity as well as heat
- high malleability and ductility, can be beaten
into sheets and stretched to produce wires
- less abundant
3. Non-Metallic Minerals
- do not contain any metal elements instead they
consist of chemical elements that usually don’t
feature the properties or characteristics of
metals
- NO new product after a melting process
- often found embedded in young fold mountains
and sedimentary rocks
- good insulators of electricity and heat
- lack in malleability and ductility and these
minerals break down easily
- more abundant
EXAMPLES OF FOSSIL FUELS
Crude Oil
- crude oil is a nonrenewable resource that builds
up in liquid form between the layers of the
earth's crust, it’s retrieved by drilling into the
ground and ocean floor, and pumping the liquid
out, the liquid is then refined and used to create
many different products
Coal
- coal is classified as a nonrenewable energy
source because it takes millions of years to form
- coal contains the energy stored by plants that
lived hundreds of millions of years ago in
swampy forests
Natural Gas
- natural gas is a non-renewable fossil fuel formed
from the remains of tiny sea plants and animals
that died 300 400 million years ago
 - approximately 90% of natural gas is composed of
methane, but it also contains other gases such as
propane and butane
EXAMPLES OF METALLIC MINERALS
Iron
- iron (Fe) is the most common metallic element in
the universe, when pure it is a dark, silvery-gray
metal
- it is a very reactive element and oxidizes (rusts)
very easily
- the reds, oranges and yellows seen in some soils
and on rocks are probably iron oxides
- iron is the third most common element making
up the earth
- iron is one of the three naturally magnetic
elements; the others are cobalt and nickel. iron
is the most magnetic of the three
Copper
- native copper is an element and a mineral. it is
found in the oxidized zones of copper deposits;
in hydrothermal veins; in the cavities of basalt
that have been in contact with hydrothermal
solutions; and as pore fillings and replacements
in conglomerates that have been in contact with
hydrothermal solutions
- it is rarely found in large quantities; thus, it is
seldom the primary target of a mining operation,
most copper produced is extracted from sulfide
deposits
Aluminum
- aluminum is the most abundant metal element
in the earth's crust, the bauxite ore is the main
source of aluminum and contains the aluminum
minerals gibbsite, boehmite, and diaspore
EXAMPLES OF NON-METALLIC MINERALS
Salt and Phosphate
- they don't have a shiny surface and are not as
hard as metallic minerals
- they are mostly found in igneous and
metamorphic rocks
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RENEWABLE ENERGY BENEFITS
Generating energy that produces no greenhouse gas
emissions from fossil fuels and reduces some types
of air pollution
Diversifying energy supply and reducing dependence
on imported fuels
Creating economic development and jobs in
manufacturing, installation, and more
NON-RENEWABLE ENERGY BENEFITS
The main advantages of non-renewable energies are
that they are abundant and affordable, for example,
oil and diesel are still good choices for powering
vehicles
Non-Renewable energy is cost effective and easier to
product and use
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Module 5: Evaluating Local Environmental
Problems and Issues Including Climate
Change
Costal Erosion
- coastal erosion is the process by which local sea
level rise, strong wave action, and coastal
flooding wear down or carry away rocks, soils,
and/or sands along the coast
WAVES CAUSE EROSION IN 4 MAIN WAYS
1. When the constant force of water against the shore
wears it away
2. When the particles of rock and sand in the waves
grind cliffs down
3. When the water cause rocks and pebbles to collide
and break up
4. When the acid in the sea slowly dissolve certain
types of rock
Deforestation
- happens when forest is permanently destroyed,
and the land is used for other purposes
 NASA predicts that if currents deforestation levels
proceed, the world’s rainforest may be completely
wiped out in as little as 100 years.
SOME OF THE COMMON CAUSES OF DEFORESTATION
ARE:
Chopping down trees for fuel
Creating room for cattle ranching
Harvesting timber to create commercial items
Making more land available for housing and
urbanization
Common methods of deforestation are burning trees
and clear cutting. These controversial practices leave the
land completely barren. Deforestation is considered to
be one of the contributing factors to global climate
change. It is not only lessening the amount of carbon
stored in trees, but also release carbon dioxide into the
air. Deforestation has also negative consequences for
plant and animal species. Many believe that to counter
deforestation, people just need to plant more trees, but
that will not solve completely. Reforestation will not help
the species that have been devasted.
Greenhouse Effect
- the greenhouse effect is the process by which
radiation from a planet's atmosphere warms the
planet's surface to a temperature above what it
would be without this atmosphere
- radiatively active gases in a planet's atmosphere
radiate energy in all directions
CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS TO:
Ocean
- ocean absorbs most of the excess heat from
greenhouse gas emissions, leading to rising
ocean temperatures, increasing ocean
temperatures affect marine species and
ecosystems
- rising temperatures cause coral bleaching and
the loss of breeding grounds for marine fishes
and mammals
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Weather
- climate change influences severe weather by
causing longer droughts and higher
temperatures in some regions and more intense
deluges in others, say climate experts
Food
- climate change can disrupt food availability,
reduce access to food, and affect food quality
- for example, projected increases in
temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns,
changes in extreme weather events, and
reductions in water availability may all result in
reduced agricultural productivity
Health
- climate change increases the risk of illness
through increasing temperature, more frequent
heavy rains and runoff, and the effects of storms.
health impacts may include gastrointestinal
illness like diarrhea, effects on the body's
nervous and respiratory systems, or liver and
kidney damage
LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AND ISSUES
Pollution
- pollution is the introduction of toxic or harmful
materials into the physical environment
- these harmful materials are called pollutants,
pollutants can be natural, such as volcanic ash,
sediments
THE TYPES OF POLLUTION
1. Noise Pollution
- refers to the excessive level of noise in the local
area caused by transportations and machines
from industrial zones
2. Light Pollution
- refers to the presence of too much lights
available in the area, especially during early and
late nights
3. Air Pollution
- refers to the contamination of air quality due to
the emission of toxic and harmful gaseous
wastes from agricultural and industrial areas
4. Land Pollution
- it is the contamination of soil quality which
resulted from excessive run-off, deposition of
wastes and toxic substances from farming and
industrial activities
5. Thermal Pollution
- refers to the sudden increase or decrease of
temperature in water bodies like lakes, rivers
and oceans due to the disposal of wastes waster
from factories and power plants
6. Water Pollution
- refers to the contamination of water caused by
the dumping of chemical and toxic wastes from
residential, agricultural, commercial and
industrial areas
In Coron Bay, Palawan, the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources conducted an
assessment of water quality and found out that the
water is polluted due to a high concentration of total
coliform with 25, 269 most probable number (Formuso,
2018). Also, the result of water quality assessment in El
Nido, Palawan particularly in Bacuit Bay stated that the
water is polluted due to disposal of wastes from the
tourism establishments which led to the issuance of
cease-and-desist orders to some tourism establishments
(Mayuga, 2019). The impacts of pollution are health
issues, fish kills, morphological changes of plants and
animals, reproduction incapacity and many others.
Exploitation of Natural Resource
- another type of environmental problem is the
over-extraction of natural resources, the
increase in the human population and economic
development activities drives the increase in
resource utilization
The current world population reached 7.8 billion in
2020 in which 7.59 billion in 2018 with a rapid increase
compared to 7.34 billion in 2015 (Worldometers, 2020).
As a result, the consumption of natural resources rapidly
increasing. For instance, the energy demand grew by
2.9% in 2018 which is the fastest growth since 2010 (BP
Statistical Review, 2019). Based on the results of the
2015 Family Income and Expenditures Survey (FIES) of
the Philippines Statistics Authority (2015), the
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Philippines’ expenditures summed up to 4.88 trillion in
2015, higher by 18.36 percent compared with 2012
record at 4.12 trillion. Similarly, food expenditures per
person rose to P20,144 in 2015. This was 11.37 percent
more than the 2012 estimates. This shows that the
increase in the population drives the increase of natural
resources utilization that may lead to exploitation once
exceeded to carrying capacity. Each natural resource has
it carrying capacity- the ability to support a given
quantity in a population without causing degradation.
Climate Change
- climate change is one of the contemporary
severe environmental problems that we are
facing in which it affects not only the biophysical
environment but also our economy, culture,
health, security, and others
- it is a change in the state of climate over time,
whether caused by natural variability or
anthropogenic activities
- this phenomenon is caused by the continuous
emission of greenhouse gasses in the
atmosphere from different anthropogenic
activities such as agricultural production, mining
operations, power plants, factories, and other
industrial activities
Based on the 2019 Global Gas Emission Data of
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the CO2
emission has increased by about 90% since 1970 from
fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes, which
contributes 78% of the total greenhouse emission. The
emitted gasses served as a trap to the outgoing longwave
radiation that drives to change the earth's surface
temperature and other atmospheric processes. The new
findings on the study of Fahey and others (2017), says
that aside from changes in the emission of greenhouse
gasses, small airborne particles like aerosols produced
from small-scale human activities is now a significant
driver of climate change. In the Philippines, the total
greenhouse gas emissions based on the USAID current
report were 157.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide
equivalent to 0.33% global greenhouse gas emissions
(GHG). 54% of GHG in the country came from the energy
sector followed by agriculture (33%), industrial processes
(8%), wastes and land-use change (7%), and forestry
sectors (1%). This phenomenon has ecological, social,
and economic impacts not only in the Philippines but also
in the entire world that needs immediate attention and
actions by all stakeholders.
The Philippines is significantly experiencing impacts
of climate change such as sea-level rise, storm surge,
destruction of habitat, extinction of flora and fauna
species, life cycle changes, changes in surface water
availability, and changes in aquatic and terrestrial
productivity. Based on the current report of PAG-ASA,
the annual mean temperature in all areas in the country,
the increases have been from 0.57oC and are expected
to increase by 0.9 oC to 1.1 oC in 2020 and 1.8oC to 2.2
oC in 2050. The World Meteorological Organization 2019
report shows that year 2019 is likely the second warmest
in instrumental records. Also, the country experiences
average of 20 tropical cyclones formed per year and
extreme rainfall of higher than 300mm rainfall that
damages peoples’ lives and properties as well as wildlife.
The Luzon areas in the country experienced a decline
in the production of rice, corn, and other agricultural
products, a decline in water supply for agricultural and
domestic use, typhoons, volcanic eruption, changes in
biodiversity, and habitat. Central Luzon is known as the
“Rice Bowl of the Philippines” and ranked high to very
high on risk based on the Risk to Typhoons and risk to
Projected Rainfall Change maps of the Manila
Observatory. There are over 3,000 farmers in Central
Luzon who experiences damages of crops due to extreme
weather and decline of water supply for irrigation. Also,
in the case of Isabela province, corn production was
declined from the past years due to extreme weather
conditions, an increase of annual temperature, and
changes in rainfall patterns based on the study of Alcaide
et al. (2019). Also, the Taal volcanic eruption affected at
least 151,386 families and caused disturbances of
wildlife and their habitat like Tawilis (Sardinella tawilis).
These phenomena affect the realization of the long-term
goals of our nation for the general welfare of the people.
The Palawan experience impacts of climate
change such as extreme weather, storms, floods,
destruction of habitats like mangroves, pest and
diseases, disturbances of flora and fauna species,
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changes in water availability, and changes in aquatic and
terrestrial productivity and others. The small islands in
the province of Palawan are affected by the typhoon.
Like in the case of Calauit Island, after the hit of Typhoon
Yolanda last November 8, 2013, the island was
profoundly devastated that caused damage to the
coastal community, mangrove area, and coastal
biodiversity based on the study of the Malabrigo and
others (2016). It has approximately 500-ha of mangrove
forests in Ilultuk Bay. There are 60% of the mangrove
forests in Cluster 1 of Sitio Calauit, Bgy. Buluang was
profoundly devastated by Typhoon Yolanda, and 5%
were felled, and the majority was defoliated. The
recorded for total damage is Excoecaria agallocha with a
diameter breast height of 12 cm. Rhizophora apiculata
has the highest percentage of defoliated trees with
53.13%, and most of the trees have a diameter class of
3cm.
The livelihood farming activity of Palaw’ans in
Bunog, Rizal, Palawan, is highly affected by climate
change. The study of Roa and others (2015) shows that
climate change has notable effects on the crop harvest
of tribe members, especially rice. The tribe members
observed several changes in the past years, like the 90%
decrease in the harvest and rapid increase of pest
occurrence in their farmland, kaingin. The food security
of the tribe for the whole year is at risk due to the decline
of crop harvest. However, the tribe has traditional
knowledge on the adaption of climate change impacts
like “Pagpapausok” or the burning of the roots as their
adaptation measures to lessen pest and diseases. Also,
to have an alternative source of income, they engaged in
handicrafts like the making of baskets that they can sell
to the local market.
NOTE: Watch all the videos from module 1-5, di ko na po
kasi naopen yung iba doon dahil super dami po nila,
hehehe. Thanks! Fighting guys, we can do it. Aja!
“You can always be better (Tiger Woods)”
Quiz #1: From Module 1-4 organisms but found in the atmosphere only in small
particles of dust.
1. Which component of the natural world is living - Phosphorus Cycle
organisms exist? 17. Which is the possible path of movement of nitrogen
- Biosphere in the nitrogen cycle?
2. Which of the following is a biotic component of the - Soil, Animals, Plants, Air, Soil
environment? 18. Which is a renewable natural resource.
- Microbes - Natural Vegetation
3. Which pillar of sustainability is informally referred to 19. A renewable resource that is created from the
as the planet? differences in air pressure.
- Environmental - Wind
4. Which is a characteristic of a living organism? 20. The entire province of Palawan was declared as a
- Respond to the Environment man and biosphere reserve in __________.
5. Which is a physical component of the environment? - 1990
- Temperature 21. The environment is the totality of all the internal
6. What is the main energy source for the conditions affecting the life, development and
environment? survival of an organism.
- Solar Energy - TRUE
7. The term used to describe both the biotic and abiotic 22. Nonliving things are made of microscopic structures
factors in a system. called cells.
- Ecosystem - FALSE
8. All food chains start with __________ and end with 23. The biosphere is a separate region or NOT connected
decay. with the other Earth’s environmental spheres.
- Photosynthesis - FALSE
9. Referring to the trophic level, which is a primary 24. Green plants, algae, and certain bacteria produce
producer? sugars through the process of respiration, using only
- Seaweed energy from the sun and carbon dioxide from the air.
10. According to literature, energy transfer between - FALSE
trophic levels is typically only __________ efficient. 25. Ecosystem services are the benefits that nature
- 10% provides to people.
11. It is category of ecosystem services that refers to - TRUE
primary production, nutrient cycling as well as 26. The most abundant ecosystem in the planet is the
species and ecosystem protection. marine ecosystem.
- Supporting Services - TRUE
12. Which element is most abundant in the biosphere? 27. Excess phosphate could cause eutrophication or
- Oxygen when the water becomes enriched with nutrients
13. Which elements is most abundant in the resulting to harmful algal blooms, dead zones, and
atmosphere? fish kills.
- Nitrogen - TRUE
14. Which element is a key component of fossil fuels? 28. The processes that release carbon into the
- Carbon atmosphere are referred to as ‘carbon sinks’ while
15. Freshwater accounts for about ______ of all waters ‘carbon sources’ are processes that absorb more
in the hydrosphere. carbon than they release.
- 2.5 – 3% - FALSE
16. The ___________ is slowest cycle that moves
through rocks, water, soil and sediments, and

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29. Nonmetallic minerals are usually obtained from ores
while metallic minerals are procured from industrial
rocks and minerals.
- FALSE
30. Natural resources are components that exist in the
world with the input from humans.
- FALSE

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