GROUP 6 1AE – 105

HOLY ANGEL UNIVERSITY

Loss of Biodiversity: Strategic plan

and its Environmental impact on
Human

Submitted by:

Ramos, Rheyan Kristofer

Ocampo, Maria Famela

Mendoza, Mark Daniel

Pangilinan, Sean Cobie

Navarro, Wilmon Emiro

Submitted to:

Engr. Arlyn Del Rosario

I. INTRODUCTION

Biological diversity, or biodiversity, is the variety of life on earth. It comprises

variability within species, among species, and of ecosystems. It also refers to the

complex relationships among living things, and between living things and their

environment. Biodiversity and its components provide a number of goods and

services that sustain our lives, our livelihoods, and the environment in which we live.

These goods and services include food, medicine, clean water and air, and other

natural resources that support a broad range of human activities and industries, from

forestry to mining to pharmaceuticals.

Loss of Biodiversity is very common in this country (Philippines) because of

large area of mountains and waters. According to which stated that there are 5 major

threats to biodiversity, these are: Climate change, Deforestation and Habitat loss,

Overexploitation, Invasive species and Pollution. This threat has vital impact to the

lives of humanity if not prevented. According to William Oliver and Lawrence

Heaney, about 67% of species amongst the major groups of animals and plants

found in the Philippines occur nowhere else in the world.

II. LOCATION

Laguna de Bay is the best option for implementing this action plan because it

is the biggest lake in the Philippines and provides a third of its fish to Metro Manila’s

16 million inhabitants. It also supports agriculture, industry and the generation of

hydro-power, and is a welcome gateway for many Filipinos for rest and recreation.

The importance of the lake has placed it at risk from host of problems that are

destroying its capacity, including contamination from untreated sewage and

industrial waste, over-fishing and sedimentation and illegal recovery. Informal

settlers whose homes lack sufficient sanitation facilities are many of the millions of

people living on the lake shores. It is estimated that at least half a million of them will

discharge raw waste into the lake.

III. PROGRAMS / PLAN FOCUS

REHABILITATION OF POLLUTED BAY - Clean-up of designated waterways

and reduce the toxic discharges from the houses and establishments. Temporary

sanitation facilities to informal settlers residing along the shorelines.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT – Collecting and disposing of solid materials

that is thrown away because it is no longer useful. A proper solid-waste collection is

important for the protection of public health, safety, and environmental quality.
 COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT – The purpose is to Preserve, Protect,

Develop, and Restore the coastal resources. Create balance between development

needs and protection of natural resources.

IV. METHODS / PROCEDURES

Plastic pollution in the oceans has got a lot of attention lately, but water

pollution isn’t just a problem in the sea, local waters are suffering too, often from

pollutants found in common household products. According to WEPA, water

pollution’s effects cost the Philippines approximately $1.3 billion annually, affecting

our economy growth. We can prevent this by simply using paper materials instead of

plastic and avoid throwing it somewhere else. Install a water efficient toilet. In the

meantime, put a brick or gal container in the standard toilet tank to reduce water use

per flush because in our country, most of our toilet were connected to the nearest

river or lake.

Provide orders and protocols particular on avoiding throwing garbage and

waste because these are the main reason on why our water is polluted especially

rivers and lakes. Septic tanks are useful pieces of equipment that are able to treat

sewage by efficiently separating the liquids from the solids. Dispose Toxic

Chemicals Properly like detergent, paint, thinner etc. Gather people that are willing

to help to clean the polluted river or lake and try persuade unwilling people to help.

No matter where you live in the country, there are going to be charities working on
watershed protection, water pollution clean-up, and similar causes. Find an

organization that is active in your area and try to make a donation every year and

the support may even lead to expanded anti-pollution work.

V. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FINDINGS

This summary will share some of the highlights from the action plan that will

conduct to Laguna de Bay. The plan was designed to give detailed strategy and

impact of biodiversity loss in the lives of human. Biodiversity can be divided in

different types such as habitat, species and genetic diversity. Pollution, Untreated

Sewage, Over-fishing and Dynamite fishing is the host of problems that destroys the

Laguna de Bay. Water pollution also affects the growth of the economy. According to

World Bank, Economies experiencing water crises and high levels of water pollution

may miss out on a third of their potential economic growth. One of the strategic

plans is to provide rules and regulations occur of throwing garbage and waste to

river, lake and bay and has the principal cause of polluted water. The management

of biodiversity is a complex matter that needs the involvement of many different

partners ranging from governmental organizations to private companies, NGO's and

volunteers that offer an essential framework for promoting and maintaining

biodiversity. The question is “why should we care?”. Fresh water is a limited source

and every person needs water to survive. Without it, a lot of human would get sick
even result to death. Conserving the bay or water means using our water supply

wisely and be responsible.

VI. IMPLICATIONS / RECOMMENDATIONS

Implications

• ENVIRONMENT - There would be cleaner lakes and healthier fish and other

aquatic species which is good for the environment.

• RESIDENTS – The people living around Laguna would be more aware of the

current situation and what should they do as a citizen of that province.

• FISHERMANS - The Fishermen’s way of living would be much better if there

are abundant number of fishes on lakes and good quality of water as well.

Recommendation

The LGU of the province of Laguna should do a better job on taking care if its

people, surroundings, and natural resources. Since Laguna contributes a big

percentage in fish production in our country, it is very important to make sure

the cleanliness and quality of the fishes that go through the market. Having a

bad water quality and fisheries can result to many problems not only for fish

production but also pollution and viruses. The LGU should propose a project

wherein informal settlers would be transferred to a better place because they

are one of the reasons why water is being polluted on lake shores. Throwing

of raw waste, detergents, untreated water sewages, and insufficient sanitation

 facilities are examples of problems caused by informal settlers that make the

water dirty. Another possible way is by conducting seminars so that everyone

would be aware of the importance of this matter.

VII. REFERENCES

UN Environment Programme (2017): Battling pollution in the Philippines’ largest

lake

Population Matters (2020): ‘Biodiversity’

Ajay Kumar and A. K. Verma (2017): BIODIVERSITY LOSS AND ITS

ECOLOGICAL IMPACT IN INDIA

Bradley J. Cardinale, J.Emmett Duffy, Andrew Gonzalez, David U. Hooper,

Charles Perrings, Patrick Venail, Anita Narwani, Georgina M. Mace,

David Tilman, David A.Wardle, Ann P. Kinzig, Gretchen C. Daily, Michel

Loreau, James B. Grace, Anne Larigauderie, Diane S. Srivastava &

Shahid Naeem (2012): Biodiversity loss and its impact on humanity

Zabta K. Shinwari, Syed Abdullah Gilani and Abdul Latif khan (2012):

BIODIVERSITY LOSS, EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND IMPACT

ON HUMAN AND CROPS

William L.R. Oliver and Lawrence R. Heaney (1996): Biodiversity and

Conservation in the Philippines.