Lesson 9: Biodiversity

How Much Do You Know

MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A. Biological diversity
2. C. population
3. A. Habitat destruction
4. B. number of particular species per the total number of different species in a particular area
5. A. endangered
6. B. the use of living organisms to make other products, to improve animals or to develop
microbes.
7. D. alternation and destruction of the natural habitats
8. D. all of the above
9. C. genetically modified organism
10. B. DNA

Apply your Knowledge

Activity No. 1

Watch the video Philippine Biodiversity and list the main cause(s) of

biodiversity loss right now and explain how this is reducing biodiversity.

The main cause of our biodiversity loss right now was the climate change. Climate change was cause
also of the human activity such as denotation of forests, illegal wild life trade, illegal mining,
unsustainable farming and over fishing has threatened our biodiversity in Philippines.

Climate change is inextricably linked to urbanization and habitat loss. Human development has
grown as urbanization has expanded, as has the usage of numerous natural resources. Climate
change modifies regional climates, making it difficult for many species that are especially suited to
certain places to thrive. Furthermore, when the temperature changes, animals will migrate to other
regions, affecting the ecosystems that currently exist. The relationship between climate change and
biodiversity has long been recognized. Although the temperature has always changed as ecosystems
and species come and go throughout Earth's history, fast climate change impacts ecosystems' and
species' ability to adapt, resulting in increased biodiversity loss. From a human standpoint, rapid
climate change and accelerating biodiversity loss endangers human security (e.g., a major shift in the
food chain on which we rely, water sources may change, recede, or disappear, medicines and other
 resources we rely on may become more difficult to obtain as the plants and forna from which they
are derived decline or to be disappear.

Activity No. 2 :

Film watching and advocacy writing

The Lorax is a magnificent creature who embraces the nature and serves as the green protector. He
is the "voice of the woods," fighting a solitary struggle against the Once-ler, the industrial titans.
Overall, his message resonates with the folks at Urban Times, since we feel that without action, no
answers can be assembled...In the book, the arguments for and against big business are primarily
simplified for younger readers, but Dr. Seuss' message was not without controversy (in the 70s and
80s). Certain schools prohibited the work for seeking to bring the logging industry into shame, while
businesses and government organizations were furious about how they may be seen after reading."

Biological diversity, often known as biodiversity, refers to the variety of life on Earth. It includes not
just species but also habitats and genetic diversity within a single species. Species coexist and rely on
one another all throughout the earth. Every living organism, including humans, is a part of these vast
networks of interdependent connections known as ecosystems. Healthy ecosystems clean our
water, filter our air, keep our soil in good condition, control the temperature, recycle nutrients, and
provide us with food. They supply raw materials and resources for pharmaceuticals and other uses.
They are the cornerstone of all civilizations and the lifeblood of our economy. It's as simple as that:
we couldn't exist without these "ecosystem services." They are what we refer to as our natural
capital.

Biodiversity is a critical measure of an ecosystem's health. A diverse range of species will fare better
against challenges than a small number of them in huge populations. Even if individual species are
harmed by pollution, climate change, or human activity, the ecosystem as a whole may adapt and
survive. However, the extinction of a species can have unanticipated consequences, sometimes
resulting in the loss of entire ecosystems. When we have biodiversity in our ecosystem, we have a
greener environment. This is due to the fact that plant life flourishes in a well-balanced ecology. This
invariably impacts us because we rely on plants for survival. A healthy ecology can also assist to
minimize the risk of sickness and how we respond to it.

Increasing Biodiversity:
Some changes could be encouraged to improve biodiversity in our environment.

Some of them are:

1. Stopping penetration of invasive alien species.

2. Using sustainable agricultural methods.

3. Having protected areas for spices to thrive.

4. Having an organic maintenance culture for fertilizers.

To make the planet a safe home for all organisms, we must keep all ecosystems healthy. This is
one of the advantages of paying attention to biodiversity. We are confronting an unparalleled
biodiversity catastrophe that threatens humanity's basic survival. Species populations have
plummeted around us, and once extinct, they are gone for ever. Everything that has happened
since then – the series of genetic variants and physiological reactions that have enabled
evolution and animal adaption – forms and reflects our planet's greatest legacy: the biodiversity
that exists on Earth. This heritage does not belong to us; it is a part of us.We are a minuscule
component of a live being. Different species did not arise independently of one another, but are
inextricably linked, with one descended from another to produce this creature that why’s it is
important to save and preserve our biodiversity.

How Much Have I Learned

What are some potential benefits of biotechnology?

ANSWER. Some potential benefits of biotechnology is that it can be use to modified the
agriculture, it can also applied on society, on foods, on medicine and may more that can be
modified to a better one.

2. What are some potential risks of biotechnology?

ANSWER. Some potential risks of biotechnology are Health Risks, Environmental Risks, Risks
to Biodiversity Socioeconomic Risks.

3. Why do we need an international biosafety agreement?

ANSWER. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), "biosafety is a strategic and
integrated approach to analysing and managing relevant risks to human, animal and plant
life and health and associated risks for the environment. It is based on recognition of the
critical linkages between sectors and the potential for hazards to move within and between
sectors, with system-wide consequences" Since the aim is to eliminate or minimize
biological contamination, there are three important concepts in the field of biosecurity:
 Biological hazard: is the potential risk of uncontrolled exposure to biological agents that
cause disease.
 Biocontainment: are measures used to prevent infectious diseases from leaking from
research centres or other places where they may be produced.
 Bioprotection: is a set of measures taken to reduce the risk of loss, theft, misuse or
intentional release of pathogens and toxins, including those governing access to
facilities, materials storage and data and publication policies.

Biosecurity is critical because it is responsible for preventing hazards to health and the
environment from biological agents that cause illness. Biosafety refers to the regulations
and barriers put in place to prevent biological danger.