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S-SCEN001TP BSA33 Environmental Science - 2nd Semester (SY 2021-2022)

Biodiversity, Ecosystem Stability, and Endangered Species Acts

Species Approach
Immersive Reader

Species Approach
Did you know that species can be used as indicators of biodiversity and ecosystem condition?

A single species/taxon or a species assemblage (functional group/guild) has often been used as an indicator of the
conditions of the natural ecosystem

Species richness is sometimes preferred as an ecological indicator because of its high level of precision

Biodiversity Indicators

1. Keystone species - is one upon which many other species depend for biological necessities (food, shelter, etc.). Such
organisms have a vital role in ecosystem processes because their loss or decline could result in the collapse of
biological integrity

Examples are fruit bats and forest birds, insect pollinators, snake, burrowing crabs

2. Sensitive species - the disappearance of certain organisms from a site could be an indication of their sensitivity to
habitat degradation

Examples are Haplonycteris fischeri (bat species), Cynopterus brachchyotis

3. Tolerant Species - species that can be used to assess the extent of pollution

Examples are green mussels

4. Endemic species - indicators of the status of habitats and ecosystems

Examples are endemic birds

Other Useful Indicators:

Umbrella Species - usually one with large habitat or range and which exerts a major ecological influence on the
community (e.g. Pithecophaga jefferyi)

Flagship species - either plants or animals that have captured the support and sympathy of the general public; used as
rallying calls for conservation. (e.g Bubalus mindorensis)

Charismatic species - also nominated as flagship species because of their appeal to the general public; many tend to be
large, brightly colored, or endowed with unique and interesting features (e.g. Pithecophaga jefferyi).

What are the threats to Species?

The following are considered threats to species and are also considered as drivers to the loss of biodiversity. An
acronym ‘HIPPCO’ will be used for you to easily remember them. Again, these also affect human health directly and
through their impacts on biodiversity.

H – is for Habitat destruction, degradation, and fragmentation

The rate of biodiversity loss is closely linked to the rate and extent of deforestation
Loss of habitat has been identified as a primary threat to about 85-90% of the birds, mammals, and amphibians
listed as threatened with extinction
Habitat loss in the Philippines is caused mainly by the extensive removal of vegetation and fragmentation of
forests

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The country is considered one of the most critical areas of global conservation concern because of the rapid loss
of vegetation cover.

I- is for Invasive Species

An invasive species is an introduced foreign species that has successfully established itself in a new habitat and
subsequently displaced native populations due to competition or predation
They are also called as alien species, exotic or non-native species of plants and animals introduced, accidentally
or deliberately to a place that is not part of their natural habitat or distributional range. Exotic species, esp. those
that were introduced to an area with no natural predators or competitors, will flourish in their new habitats.

What is Alien Species in the Philippines?

Invasion by alien species in the Philippines may be attributed to one or any combination of the following mechanisms:

a. Transport of organisms to a new habitat-this could be between islands or countries.

b. Establishment and propagation of the alien species in the new habitat-either natural or man-made habitats, such
as enclosures, artificial ponds, reforestation areas, and gardens.
c. Uncontrolled spread from the initial population over large area-either through deliberate release or accidental
escape.

1. Alien plants. The replacement of endemic plants by alien species, usually closely associated with deliberate
vegetation clearing, is one of the major causes of biodiversity loss in the Philippines.

Examples:

hagonoy (Chromolaena odorata)

ayam (Lantana camara)

water hyacinth (Eichornia crassipes)

cogon (Imperata cylindrica)

2. Alien terrestrial animals. To enhance the Filipino diet with animal protein as well as supplement the meager income
of lowland farmers, exotic animals have been introduced in the Philippines.

Examples:

Americal bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

Golden apple snail (Pomaceae canaliculata)

Central American cane toad (Bufo marinus)

House mouse (Mus musculus)

Ricefield rat (Rattus exulans)

3. Alien Freshwater Fish - with limited information

Examples:

catfish from Thailand (Clarias batrachus)

molly fish (Mollienesia latipinna)

common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

janitor fish (Hypostomus plecostomus)

4. Insect Pests - suspected to have been accidentally introduced into forest plantations

Example:

shoot borer (Hypsipyla robusta)

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P- is for Population growth (human pressure)

Population size increases through births and immigration and decreases through deaths and emigration.
The average number of children born to women in a population (total fertility rate) is the key factor that
determines the size of the population.

P- is for Pollution

Pollution comes in different forms (solid, liquid, gaseous) and composition (organic, inorganic) and causes a wide
range of direct and indirect effects on ecosystems and living organisms including humans (plastics,
organochlorines).

C- is for Climate Change

Global warming has the potential of generating large-scale and long-term changes in the climate. The
vulnerability of small islands is often associated with the increased occurrence of extreme weather conditions.

O- is for Overexploitation

The exploitation of plant and animal resources is a major direct cause of species extinctions

-Over-exploitation of forests for timber and other non-timber products, either legally or illegally, has decimated
the native vegetation cover

-Over-harvesting of marine and freshwater resources

-Wild animals are over-collected for domestic and international trade:

          -Domestic use and trade in wildlife - biodiversity loss due to over-utilization of and trade in many species.
Trend may be attributed to increasing poverty, and human population pressure,                         ignorance about the
limits of nature, improved hunting technology, efficiency in transportation, and travel.

          -International trade in wildlife - A lucrative business where wild plants and animals are sold on the market
either dead or alive.

          -Regulation of international trade through CITES - Primary global mechanism that regulates the trade in
wildlife across international borders

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