Science 9 Biology Q1 Week 5

Biodiversity and Evolution

Introduction

The world is beautiful to live with, isn’t it? The diversity of life that exists on Earth is
breathtaking. We have a fair share to maintain the stability of the ecosystem. However, all
species of some animals and plants have been destroyed due to the abrupt changes in the
environment. What happens to a certain community if there is a loss of species diversity? What
can we contribute to the needs of the ecosystem?
In this chapter, you will learn the importance of biodiversity, the relationship that exists
between the environment and living things, and how changes in the environment affect species
extinction.

Objectives

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. define biodiversity;
2. describe the three level of biodiversity;
3. enumerate the different environmental changes that may result in the loss of the species;
and
4. explain how these changes in the environment can affect species extinction.

Try this!

This activity is entitled “Photo Quiz”. Look at the pictures carefully and identify the
possible cause of extinction that matches the group of pictures. Do this activity in your Science
notebook by choosing the correct answer from the choices below. (Adapted from DepEd’s Grade 9
Science Module, pp. 61-62 )

Pollution Overharvesting Destruction of habitat

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 Science 9 Biology Q1 Week 5

Introduced species Taking animals for profit Hunting and trapping

1. ____________________________ 2. ______________________________

3.

____________________________ 4. ______________________________

5. _____________________________

Think ahead!

The activities you’ve done earlier are some of the causes of species extinction. How do
these causes affect species extinction? Do you have any idea? Feel free to share your thoughts
with me.

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Read and Ponder

BIODIVERSITY

Biological diversity refers to the variety of life- forms that exist on Earth. It talks about
the relationship and differences of species within the ecosystem which includes the living and
non- living environment. Biodiversity comprises the ecosystem biodiversity, species biodiversity
and genetics biodiversity. Ecosystem biodiversity refers to a community of living things such as
plants and animals. Species biodiversity, on the other hand, refers to the number of species living
in a certain area. Genetic biodiversity describes the variation in genes that exists within species.
Biodiversity is important because it boosts ecosystem productivity, no matter how small
specie is, it plays an important role in an ecosystem. Everything that we have now, oxygen,
water, soil, shelter, climate and even medicine are all due to a healthy ecosystem. The World
Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature said, “Biological diversity is the resource upon which families,
communities, nations, and future generations depend. It is the link between all organisms on
earth, binding each into an interdependent ecosystem, in which all species have their roles. It is a
web of life.”
Ecosystems interact with one another. Once there is a change in one part of the
ecosystem, it could affect the other part. When all the members of the ecosystem die, that
ecosystem dies forever. So what causes species extinction? Species extinction could be natural
but mostly because of human activities.
Species extinction by a natural factor includes climate change and/ or cataclysmic
events such as volcanic eruption and earthquake.

Human Factor affecting Species Extinction

 Deforestation
Deforestation is the cutting down of trees without planting a new one. Because of
this, soil erosion and floods occur that causes the depletion of wildlife animals that
eventually lead to extinction.

 Habitat Destruction
As human population increases every time, the need for shelter, food and even
raw materials also increases. Thus, grasslands are now converted into industrial and
urban zones and marine environment becomes a source of tourism, recreational and
residential purposes.

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 Pollution
Any form of pollution, whether it is water, air, land or even noise pollution could
be threats of species extinction. The introduction of harmful chemicals like pesticides
could disrupt ecosystem. These chemicals will be absorbed by animals as well as plants
which lead to mutation or worst, death.

 Overexploitation
As what they say, “Too much can kill”, which is absolutely correct. Human kind
relies on the Earth’s natural resources for the purpose of survival. But humans become
unaware that they consume more than what nature is capable of refilling. Overfishing is
one form of exploitation.

The end may be near, but it’s never too late to save the planet Earth. Each of us can
contribute to battle these threats for future generations. Protect the environment, save our
biodiversity.

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Name:
NOTE: __________________________________ Date:
Only page 5 will be returned to the subject teacher. The rest of ___________________
the pages are meant to
Section: __________
keep and will serve as your lecture.
Name: __________________________________ Date: ___________________
Section: __________

See if you can do this!

QUIZ 5

Directions: In your Science notebook answer the following.

A. Identify whether the following causes of extinctions are natural or human factor.

_______________________1. Diseases
_______________________2. Commercial harvesting
_______________________3. Landslide
_______________________4. Climate change
_______________________5. Meteor hitting Earth
_______________________6. Introduction of exotic species
_______________________7. Tsunami
_______________________8. Urbanization
_______________________9. Typhoon
_______________________10. Agricultural conversion

B. Essay.
1-5. How could human kind contribute to avoid the extinction of species?
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

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Performance task 3

Create a poster showing the importance of biodiversity. The poster must be handwritten
in a short bond paper, and explain what your poster is all about.
READ ME!!
Your output will be graded according to the rubric below. Send a copy of your output via MS
Teams.

Rubrics:

Categories 5 4 3 2

Following Project All directions were You followed You followed None directions
Direction followed. most of the some of the were followed.
directions. directions.

Explanation Explanation is Explanation is Explanation is a Explanation is

detailed and clear. clear. little difficult to really difficult to
understand. understand.

Neatness The poster is very The poster is The poster is less The poster is
neat and generally neat and neat and less sloppy and not
presentable. presentable. presentable. presentable.

TOTAL

Equivalent Points:

10 – 15 = 50
5 – 10 = 30
0–5 = 20

References:

 You and the Natural World (The New Grade 9)

 K + 12 Grade 9 Science Module