Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY

Don Severino delas Alas Campus
Indang, Cavite

GNED 06 Lecture 12: Biodiversity and the Healthy Society

Slide 1: Title Page

We, humans, depend on our natural environment and get our resources from her for survival. Aside
from humans, our environment takes good care of its inhabitants since life flourished on this planet.
However, the rise of civilizations started to have the concept of power and status. Overconsumption
of resources became a common practice without thinking of its consequences.

For us to promote a healthy society, we must define and look deeper into the natural world. In this
lecture, we will discuss our interconnection with each other and the environment.

Good day, everyone. I am Sir/Ma'am ______, your guide for this lecture.

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Slide 2: Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the contraction of two words: “Biological” and “Diversity.” Biodiversity refers to the
number, variety, and variability of living organisms.
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Slide 3: Major Concepts of Biodiversity

Take note that the word "Biodiversity" is a vast term. Let us try to review some concepts about
biodiversity.
1. Living organisms are numerous. From small to large creatures, and are composed of several
species or groups; these organisms interact with one another and with non-living things.
2. Living organisms are abundant in habitats supplying all the foods and requirements that
they need.
3. Organisms have different growth and metabolic characteristics unique to a particular group
and variable reproductive patterns (some have more species while others have less)
4. Biodiversity is essential to human survival (without diversity, life can be dull and boring;
with scarce resources, there would not be enough food and medicines)

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Slide 4: Three Components of Biodiversity

Biodiversity has three components or levels. We have Ecosystem Biodiversity, Species Biodiversity,
and Genetic Biodiversity.

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Slide 5: Ecosystem Biodiversity
Let us try to define what an "Ecosystem" is. An Ecosystem is a geographic area where living
organisms interact with each other and their environment. Living organisms include the following
groups - Fauna, Flora, and Microbes. On the other hand, these biotic or living factors are also
interacting with non-living things or the physical components in their environment. One good
example of an ecosystem would be a forest. Can you think of some examples of living and non-living
things inside the forest?

Ecosystem biodiversity is the largest and most visible component of Biodiversity. It is significant
since we are dealing with multiple ecosystems in an area. Hence, please do remember that these
ecosystems may be interacting with each other.

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Slide 6: Species Biodiversity

Now let's proceed with the next component or level of Biodiversity. Species Biodiversity is the kinds
of plants, animals, and other living things present in an area. These species rely on each other for
survival in simple food chains or complex food webs.

Please do remember that when we are talking about biological organisms, the word "species" is
singular and plural at the same time.

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Slide 7: Genetic Biodiversity

The last component or level of Biodiversity is Genetic Biodiversity. Take note that the same species
could have differences from each other. Our best example would be the differences shown by our
pets.

Our dogs would often show differences from each other even though they are of the same species.
Variation in size, color, and behavior are characteristics that would help these species to survive in
changing environments. Our DNA, particularly our genes, dictates these characteristics.

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Slide 8: Threats to Biodiversity

Several factors negatively affect biodiversity. The effects may be at an organismal level or on a larger
scale, at an ecosystem level.

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Slide 9: Habitat Destruction

Loss of biodiversity can be the worst result of numerous anthropogenic activities. These activities
include (1) Urbanization; (2) Overpopulation; (3) Agricultural Land Development; (4) Logging; (5)
River Damming; and (6) Use of Pesticides, Herbicides, and Fertilizers. Each of these destroys habitats
in one way or another.

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Slide 10: Pollution

Pollution is a condition in which there is an abnormal increase in the concentrations of naturally-
occurring environmental compounds such as heavy metals, radionuclides, nitrates, phosphates,
Cyanides, agricultural wastes, sewage, pathogens, gases, particulates, and more. Their high
concentrations can make an environment unfavorable for the survival of a particular organism.

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Slide 11: Invasive Species

Non-native species, Invasive Alien Species, or Invasive species are species introduced accidentally or
intentionally to a place that is not part of their natural habitat. Their introduction to the local
community could become a threat to other organisms as they become "invasive" especially if they
have an ecological niche similar to the native ones. These species may outcompete the native
species for nutrients and food leading to the latter’s population decline and extinction.

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Slide 12: Global Climate Change

The gradual increase in the world’s temperature also threatens biodiversity.

Global warming entails the following:

- Meltdown of icebergs in polar regions leads to sea level rise

- Increase in the number of rainfalls

- Too hot summers and too cold winters

- Frequent grass and forest fires

- Changes in sea temperature

This remains true especially to species that are incapable of adapting to this changing environment.

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Slide 13: Overexploitation

Any form of abuse to flora and fauna threatens biological diversity. Collecting them may threaten
their proliferation. Gathering these organisms, especially the endangered ones, for trading is an act
punishable by law (RA 9147).
Overhunting is an activity that results in a sharp reduction of species population or harm to wildlife.
It is the relentless chase for wild or game animals to kill or catch them for economic or personal
gains or food. On the other hand, illegal logging is the harvest, transportation, purchase, or sale of
timber in violation of laws.

Illegal wildlife trade is estimated to be a multibillion-dollar business involving the unlawful harvest of
and trade in live animals and plants or parts and products derived from them.

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Slide 14: Cell Tissue Culture

There are several ways on how to help our biodiversity. One way of conserving our resources and
rescue the endangered species is to allow propagation using cell tissue culture.

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Slide 15: Cryopreservation Technology

Cryopreservation technology is the non-lethal storage of organelles, cells, tissues, or bone biological
constructs at ultra-low temperature.

This technology enables the conservation of germplasm. The Philippine Carabao Center use this
currently.

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Slide 16: Advancement in Molecular Biology and Genetics

Helps analyze individual strains of an organism, identify species and predict future phenotypes.

I hope you learned a lot from this lecture.

Thank you!

Supplementary Video: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=808186730003491