G STS - Lesson 4.1

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AS3 | G STS: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY (UV MAIN: BEED1-A1)

LESSON 4: Biodiversity and Climate Change
Lesson 4.1 Biodiversity
Introduction
Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of life on earth. It includes the all living organisms from smallest microorganisms to the
largest mammal including the ecosystem they live- forests, mountains, rivers, and seas. Biodiversity is typically a measure of variation
at the genetic, species, and ecosystem level.
Biodiversity is not evenly distributed on Earth and is richest in the tropics. These tropical forest ecosystems cover less than 10 percent of
the Earth’s surface and contain about 90 percent of the world’s species. Terrestrial biodiversity is usually greater near the equator which
is the result of warm climate and high primary productivity. Marine biodiversity is usually highest along coasts in the Western Pacific
where sea temperature is highest and in the mid-latitudinal band in all oceans.
Biodiversity is important to humans for many reasons. It is considered by many to have intrinsic value in which such species has a value
and a right to exists whether or not it is known to have value to humans. The biodiversity book by the Commonwealth Scientific and
Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO; Morton & Hill 2014) describes the five core values that humans place on biodiversity.
1. Ecological life support
Biodiversity provides functioning ecosystems that supply oxygen, clean air and water, pollination of plants, pest control, wastewater
treatment and many ecosystem services.
2. Economic value
Biodiversity provides humans with raw materials for consumption and production. Many livelihoods like farming and fishing are
dependent on biodiversity.
3. Recreational value
Biodiversity provides recreational activities like birdwatching, nature tripping, hiking, camping and fishing. Tourism industries also
relies on biodiversity.
4. Cultural value
Humans co-evolve with their environment. The landscapes in the natural environment reflect cultural diversity. It embodied local
history and inspired the imaginations of different populations for thousands of years.
5. Scientific Value
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represents a wealth of systematic ecological data that help to understand the natural world and its origins.
Biodiversity is a critical issue that affects us all and includes important topics like food security, land degradation and drought,
climate change and disaster risks, among others.
The United Nations (UN) proclaimed May 22 as The International Day for Biological Diversity to increase understanding and
awareness of the value of global biodiversity.
TRANSCRIPT FROM CONSERVING PHILIPPINE BIODIVERSITY
The Philippines is one of the 17 mega diverse countries in the world. It is home to the most diverse species of life and whether plants,
animals mostly found nowhere else in the world.
1,135 species of land animals (Visayan Spotted Deer)
581 Bird species (Blue Naped Parrot)
204 mammal species (Tamaraw)
109 amphibian species (Polillo Mountain Frog)
288 reptile species (Philippine Sailfin Lizard)
895 species of butterfly (Hypolimas bolina, Cethosia biblis)
16 +++ plants species (Rafflesia schadenbergiana)
Having one of the world’s longest coastline at 37,008 KM long, the Philippines has an estimated to have 24,000 SQ km of coral
reefs containing mangroves, reef fish, sea grass, algae, whales and dolphins and marine turtles.
Biodiversity is the engine that breathes life into all major systems in which human life depends. From taming nature’s destructive
powers by keeping the chemical balance in the atmosphere to putting order in the Earth’s climatic patterns, biodiversity is the
perpetuity of human life. Biodiversity contributes to three major needs of human beings namely: health, food and energy. In the
pharmaceutical industry some 50% of our medicines today are from natural sources. Biodiversity contributes to food production and
human nutrition. Biodiversity contributes to industry, timber, and energy sources. Trees absorbed carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere helping the Earth from overheating.

Killer typhoons are brought about by the warming of the planet. Massive flooding and landslide are results of denudation of forest.
Illegal wildlife trade and forest lost now threaten the world’s biodiversity especially in the Philippines which is listed as one of the
world’s hotspots for biodiversity loss. Human activity such as illegal logging, irresponsible mining, unsustainable farming, and
overfishing have a direct impact on the environment. The lack of concern with regards to our collective human impact towards the
environment such as neglect to consider alternative renewable sources of energy, disregarding the concept of conservation, failure
to reduce our individual consumption as well as our failure to recycle reusable materials further strains the already weak
ecosystem. It is said that man may have unknowingly started to dig his own grave with the loss of biodiversity.
The impact of human actions towards the environment is putting a strain on the delicate balance between human demands and
long-term sustainability.
Simple actions such as proper disposal of waste, repairing leaking faucets, replacing incandescent bulbs with energy efficient ones
will go a long way to ease the pressure on our weakened environment. Not patronizing illegally traded wildlife will ensure the
survival of countless species and would go a long way to conserve our biodiversity. Farming of wild animals and plants, rather than
extraction from their natural habitat should also be encouraged among Filipinos.
Education through visits and interactions with protected biodiversity sites nationwide would serve as an eye opener on the richness
and diversity of plant and animal life in the country. Buying products that help advocacies on sustainability ensures that there will
be a justifiable and continuous source of the merchandise. This would also assure the grassroots communities in the country of a
sustainable livelihood. Recognizing and respecting the rights of indigenous communities in managing their sacred sites such as
forests, rivers, lakes, and caves and promoting and supporting sustainable tourism will help sustain biodiversity conservation.
Government programs such as identifying institutions that promote sustainable practices foster long term awareness of our shared
responsibility towards biological diversity conservation.
Let us share the responsibility. Conserve our biodiversity, for our children’s children and for future generations. (DENR Official:
)

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1/15/22, 8:22 AM AS3 | G STS: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY (UV MAIN: BEED1-A1) - https://access.uv.edu.

AS3 | G STS: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY (UV MAIN: BEED1-A1)

Lesson 4.1 Biodiversity

1. Ecological life support

TRANSCRIPT FROM CONSERVING PHILIPPINE BIODIVERSITY

1,135 species of land animals (Visayan Spotted Deer)

581 Bird species (Blue Naped Parrot)

204 mammal species (Tamaraw)

109 amphibian species (Polillo Mountain Frog)

288 reptile species (Philippine Sailfin Lizard)

895 species of butterfly (Hypolimas bolina, Cethosia biblis)

16 +++ plants species (Rafflesia schadenbergiana)

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