LESSON 1:PLANTS AND ANIMAL SPECIES IN THE PHILIPPINES

Tropical climate is suited for domestication of animals and cultivation of crops or plants. The
Philippines is one of the fortunate countries with this kind of climate. Because of these various plants
and animals can be found in it.

PLANTS AND CROPS

The tropical climate of the country is suitable for the cultivation of different kinds of plants and trees.
There are plants that naturally grow in the country. Some of the country's major crops are palay, corn,
sugarcane, coconut, abaca, tobacco, cotton, and other fruits and vegetables. There are also
numerous trees that grow in the Philippine forests. Examples of these are narra, acacia, lauan, yakal,
molave, mahogany, and ipil-ipil. There are 3,800 kinds of trees found in the Philippine forests.
However, most of the forests in the country are destroyed by wanton illegal logging.
The country receives enough sunlight the whole year round which makes it suitable to be a home for
thousands of flowers with different colors and fragrances. Some of these are sampaguita, cadena de
amor, rose, santan, gumamela, and bougainvillea. The country is also known for its various types of
orchids. There are about a thousand varieties of orchids in the country. The most famous of them is
the waling-waling which is known as the "Queen of Orchids" in the Philippines.

Based on the study conducted by the Congress of the

Philippines, approximately 123,000 hectares of forests are
destroyed every year. Thus, there is a possibility that by year
2036, there will be no forests left in the country.

The rafflesia is one of the biggest flowers in the world with

a diameter of one foot and can be found in the forests of
the country.

Plants in the country are used as food, or raw materials for furniture, and as ornaments. Some are
also used as medicines. Some of the herbal plants are oregano, sambong, guava, ampalaya, anise,
malunggay, laurel, garlic, ginger, lagundi, alagaw, and sabila. The fruits or leaves of these plants are
used as medicines for treating of cough, diarrhea, headache, wounds, and snake bites.

Malunggay, which has many medicinal benefits, grows only in tropical

countries like the Philippines. It is known as "mothers' bestfriend" and
"miracle vegetable" as it helps improve eyesight and digestion. It is also a
good cure for stomach ache, headache, ear diseases, and asthma. The official
logo of the Food and Nutrition Research, a branch of the Department of
Science and Technology, bears the image of malunggay leaves.

Because the duration of the rainy and dry seasons in the Philippines are regular, Filipino farmers are
able to plan well for the planting season. It also helps them decide on the kinds of crops to plant for a
particular season. For example, during rainy seasons roots crops such as gabi and onions. They also
plant crops like rice and abaca which need lots of water or rain in places which experience frequent
and abundant rainfall while crops like coffee, tobacco, and sugar cane which do not need much rain
are planted in places that experience short rainy season.

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 ANIMAL SPECIES
The Philippines is a home to different kinds of animals. Its tropical climate is a favorable habitat for
animals such as carabaos, deers, cows, goats, pigs, chickens, cats, dogs, rats, and many more.
There are 332 kinds of reptiles and amphibians that can be found in the country, 215 of which are
endemic to the country. Among the animals that can only be found in the Philippines are the tamaraw
in Mindoro, mouse deer (Balabac chevrotain or pilandok) in Balabac, Palawan, and the Philippine
tarsier, one of the smallest primates in the world which can only be found in the provinces of Bohol,
Leyte, and Samar.

TAMARAW MOUSE DEER TARSIER

PHILIPPINE EAGLE REDPABOREAL

BREASTED DOVE

Many kinds of birds and butterflies can also be found in the Philippines. There are more or less 600
kinds of birds and 900 kinds of butterflies living in the country. The Haribon or the Philippine Eagle, is
one of the largest eagles in the world and is considered as the country's national bird. The most
beautiful bird in the country is the Paboreal which is found in Palawan. The red-breasted dove is also
distinct because of the red feathers in its breast. The hornbill (kalaw) has a red beak and is found in
Mindanao and some provinces in the Visayas.
Aside from birds, the country is also rich in species of fishes. There are about 2,000 kinds of fish in
the country. The butanding or whale shark (Rhincodon typus) can be found in Donsol, Sorsogon. The
sinarapan which is found in Lake Buhi in Camarines Sur is known as the smallest commercial fish in
the world. Other than fish, there are 500 to 800 species of marine resources like corals, clams, crabs,
pearls, and edible marine plants that can also be found in the waters of the Philippines. The
gloriamaris or Glory of the Sea, an expensive and unique clam, the biggest clam (Tridacna gigas),
and the smallest clam (Pisidium) in the whole world can also be found in the country.

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Some of the animals living in the country are now gradually facing extinction due to illegal poaching
and the destruction of their habitats. This has prompted the government to enact a law that makes
such activities illegal. There are also organizations that advocate the protection of these endangered
species.

REMEMBER THESE
 The Philippines is a tropical country because of its location.
 The country experiences two general climate conditions every year the dry and rainy seasons.
However, different kinds of climate are experienced in various parts of the country due to some
factors such as location, physical characteristics, temperature, humidity, wind flow, and amount of
rainfall.
 The trade winds, southwest monsoon, and northeast monsoon also cause variations in the climate.
 On the average, about 20 typhoons enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility annually. Most of
these typhoons bring destruction to the country.
 PAGASA gives out public warnings about the strength of a coming typhoon and the preparations the
people need to do.
 There are plants and animals that only grow and live in the Philippines because of the country's good
climate.
 Using the knowledge on climate, it is easy to determine which kinds of crops need to be planted in a
country.
 Plants can be used as food, tools, materials for building decorations, and as cure for illnesses.

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Name: Date Submitted: / /2021
Grade/Section: Subject: ARALING PANLIPUNAN 4

Direction:
A. use the spiderweb to identify the factors that affect Philippine climate

Factors that affect the

climate of the country

B. List at least 10 animals and 10 plants or crops that you can see here in the Philippines
Animals Plants/Crops

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LESSON 2: Landforms in the Philippines
There are different landforms in the Philippines. Mountains, volcanoes, valleys, plateaus, and
plains can be found all over the country. With this, we can say that the Philippines has a
mountainous and rugged topography.
Look at the pictures below that shows the different landforms founf in the country as well as
some example of the scenic spot of these landforms.

Mountain- this is the highest

landform. The group of mountains
is called mountain ranges.

Mount Apo-it is the highest mountain in the

Philippines found in Davao.

Volcano- it is a land form that has

an opening where it can emit lava,
gas, and lahar when it erupts. Some
of the volcanoes can be found under
the ocean.

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 Mayon Volcano- a beautiful volcano that has
an almost perfect cone which is located in
Albay.

Hill- an elevated landform but is

lower than a Mountain

Chocolate Hills- the most famous hills

in the Philippines that is located in
Bohol. These hills are covered by
green grass during the rainy season
and turns chocolate brown during dry
season.

Valley- this is a low flat landform

that is found in between mountains
or hills. The soil from the mountains
sides that are carried to the valley
makes its soil fertile.

Cagayan Valley- it is located in the

Region II and is the widest valley in
the Philippines

Plateau- it is a flat landform in a

high or elevated are. It often serves
as pasture for grazing animals. It is
also a good place for planting rice,
corn, vegetables, and fruits.

Baguio City- it is known as City of

Pines and summer Capital of the
Philippines 6
 Plain- it is a landform characterized
by large areas of flat land.

Central Luzon Plain- this is the largest

plain in the country that composed of
the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva
Ecija, Pampanga, Pangasinan, and
Tarlac.

LESSON 3: Water Forms in the Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelago because of this characteristic different bodies of water
surround the country. The whole country has a total coastline that reaches 17,460 kilometers.
This is the reason why the Philippines is classified as a maritime or insular country. The
Philippines is also a natural fishing ground.
Let us now study the different water forms or bodies of water and the many beautiful places that
can be found in the country.

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The maritime character of the Philippines greatly affects the country’s progress. The presence
of abundant water resources and fertile lands greatly contribute to the country’s development.
Many animal and plants species that are endemic or can only be found in the Philippines thrive
here.

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The country’s beautiful beaches attract millions of tourists every year. The bodies of water
which surround the country also contribute to the favorable climate that prevails in most parts
of the country. However, despite these many advantages of being an archipelago, this
characteristic of the country also poses some serious challenges.

ACTIVITY SHEET
Name: _______________________________________ Score: __________________________
Grade and Section: _____________________________ Date: __________________________
Activity 8
Identify which of the following statement about landforms is true or false. Write TRUE if the statement is
correct and write FALSE if not. Write your answer on the space provided.
1. the hill is the highest landform and is usually circular in shape.
2. a volcanic eruption is a dangerous event because of the emission of gas, lava, lahar, ang other
dangerous materials.
3. the chocolate hills is a famous tourist spot in Bohol.
4. there are people who refer to live in plains because if the presence of firms, factories, and
agricultural lands.
5. peninsulas capes are long and protruding landforms surrounded by water.
6. the Central Luzon plain is the “Rice Granary of the Philippines.”
7. the climate in the Plateau is usually colder because it is situated in an elevated place.
8. the La Trinidad Valley in Benguet is known as the “Salad Bowl of the Philippines.”
9. Mount Apo in Davao is the highest mountain in the Philippines.
10. Sierra Madre is the longest mountain range in the Philippines.

Activity 9

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Identify what is being describe to in each number. Choose your answer from the choice inside
the box. Write your answer on the line.

Spring Sea River Ocean

Strait Lake Gulf Falls

1. the water of this water form comes underground and maybe hot or cold.

2. the largest water from that can be found at the eastern part of the country.

3. the sea that can be found at the western part of the country

4. this water form that is surrounded by land.

5. A water form that is surrounded by land.

6. A narrow water form that separates two islands or landforms.

7. An inlet of the sea usually smaller than a gulf.

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