MAPÚA UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF CIVIL, ENVIRONMENTAL

AND GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING

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Module 2
Homework 1

Submitted by:
Mark Kenneth B. Baldoque
Course:
CE/3

Date Assigned:
June 21, 2021

Date Submitted:
June 22, 2021

Professor:
Engr. Laurita Mendoza
1. What is biodiversity in the environment? Discuss the relationship of the
various living things in a diverse environment.

Biodiversity is a phrase that refers to the tremendous diversity of life on

the planet. It can also be used to refer to all of the species in a certain location or
environment. Every living thing, including plants, microorganisms, animals, and
humans, is referred to as biodiversity. According to scientists, there are around
8.7 million plant and animal species on the planet. However, only about 1.2
million species, most of which are insects, have been recognized and described
thus far. This indicates that the existence of millions of other creatures is
unknown.
All living things rely on their surroundings to provide them with the
necessities of life, such as food, water, and shelter. Physical variables including
soil, air, and temperature, as well as other species, make up their environment.
An organism is a living creature that is unique. Many living creatures in their
environment interact with other organisms. In fact, they may require the help of
other organisms to survive. Interdependence is the term for this. Living beings
that cannot create their own sustenance, for example, must eat other organisms.
Symbiotic partnerships and resource competition are examples of other
interactions between living things.

2. What are the factors that affect the diversity of the species in an
environment?

Productive Significance
When a place has a lot of biodiversity, it produces a lot of things that are
valuable to humans. Humans use and sell a variety of fruits, herbs, and other
goods to make a living. It also contains a variety of natural resources, like as
water, that are critical for animals and humans to survive.
 Economic Significance
A place's biodiversity gives bread and butter to many people. Farmers and
small traders are intimately linked to biodiversity; they produce and trade the
things that biodiversity provides in order to make a living.

Ecological Significance
Biodiversity is critical for a place's ecological equilibrium to be maintained.
Because all species are interrelated, if a place's biodiversity is disrupted, so will
its ecology. If one species goes extinct for whatever reason, it will undoubtedly
have an impact on others.

3. How can we as engineers help bring back the diversity of the limited forest
we have now. Discuss.

Deforestation is a multifaceted worldwide issue. It contributes to climate change

by causing soil erosion and degradation, desertification, river and lake siltation,
flooding, and the extinction of numerous flora and animals.
Modern Engineers believe that the AI solution might be applied to a range of
industrial contexts, including industries and power plants, in addition to
deforestation. Predicting wildfires, power outages, and industrial mishaps, as well
as assisting with search and rescue to identify lost tourists, locating ships and
submarines, and improving weather forecasts, are all possible applications for
the technology.

4. If we are to design a small community, what are the elements of

biodiversity that you will incorporate? Discuss.

I will incorporate Genetic diversity because it has a positive impact on ecosystem

functioning, especially when the environment is under stress. As a result, local
genetic variety should be preserved, particularly in ecosystems with few species,
where it might act as a buffer against environmental change.

Relate the importance of biodiversity in your future work as engineers?

What can you do to improve the present situation of our environment?

Humans are looking for solutions to repair the damage that has been done
to our environment, and engineers are making significant progress in this
direction. Three ways engineers are helping the environment are listed below.

Clean Water
Everyone does not have access to clean water. In 2017, 785 million
people did not have access to a basic clean drinking water service, according to
the World Health Organization (WHO). Engineers are developing technology to
provide clean water to those who require it. Engineers are also developing
sophisticated technology to monitor the health of water pumps. When a pump
fails, an alert is given to engineers via a smartphone app so that they may swiftly
repair it. Water pumps might go months without being serviced if there is no alert
system in place.
Clean Energy
The world needs to advance toward sustainable energy harvesting, no
matter what form it takes: sun, wind, or water. With breakthroughs like solar
panels, wind turbines, and hydro pumps, engineers are bringing renewable
energy to the forefront. Engineers have also developed grid-tie solutions that
complement clean energy production. Grid-tied systems let consumers who
generate their own clean energy to sell the excess to utility companies. This
energy can subsequently be used by customers who do not create their own
energy, resulting in a community-wide collaborative strategy.
Sustainable Farming
Sustainable agriculture, which can take numerous forms, is one technique.
Engineers invented hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic farming to make food
 production more efficient. All three varieties allow food to be grown indoors,
allowing for increased output.
Smart farms, which employ technology to streamline and improve farming,
are also being created by engineers. Automation is a step toward smart farming
since it has the potential to speed up the farming process while eliminating
human error. Almost every farm machine can be mechanized, from tillers to
sorting machines to tractors. Drones can be used to plant seeds, spray crops,
and monitor fields in real time on smart farms.

References:

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/biodiversity/

https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-institute/ieee-member-news/three-ways-engineering-are-
improving-the-planet