Joanna B.

Avila October 20, 2022

BSCE-2B

STS 11- People and Earth’s Ecosystem

THE HUMAN IMPACT OF VEGETATION

MODULE 2: ACTIVITY 2

Application:

a. Describe the forest change in Davao Oriental? (Please indicate your sources)

One of the key ways that humans have altered our environment is by the
deliberate destruction of our forest. Since pre-agricultural times, the world's
forests have decreased from 5 to 4 billion hectares, or roughly one-fifth of its pre-
agricultural size. This drop is seen from the greenery to cement, buildings, and
highways. The forest in Davao Oriental continues has also the same problem
when it comes to forest change.  Global Forest Watch reports that Davao Oriental
had 345kha of natural forest covering 88% of its geographical area in 2010. In
addition, it lost 2.03kha of natural forest in 2021, which is equal to 1.31Mt of CO2
emissions. Deforestation is just one of the numerous causes of this alteration in
the forest.

b. Give 3 examples of invasive species found in the country and describe how
they affect endemic species.

The ecosystem in the jungle is calm and stable, and the soil is so nutrient-
rich that plants can quickly grow there. In the jungle or forest, each plant and
animal plays a specific role or purpose that keeps their population under control.
For instance, the herbivores that eat plants keep their population in check, and in
the meantime, predators consume the herbivores to keep their population under
control. This makes the ecosystem in the forest balance, however, here comes
the invader or invading species that are not necessary which makes the
ecosystem unbalance because they do not have natural predators, hence,
allowing their reproduction to quickly increase in numbers. Below are the 3
examples of invasive species found in the country and how they affect endemic
species.
1. Cane toads- Cane toads originally found in Southern America but it has
reached Philippines because it was transported in the country to eat pests
since there are more pests that are destroying the crops like sugar cane.
However, the existence of it in the country soon brought problem especially in
the ecosystem. Cane toad, as an invasive species, became poisonous and
 detrimental to the ecosystem and in the endemic species. The animals or
endemic species may go extinct as a result of the presence of cane toads
because it competes with native species for scarce resources and finally
disrupts the habitat.

2. Lantana- originated somewhere else than Philippines and was delivered to

the country as part of a program for the exchange of decorative plants
between Hawaii and Philippines. Like the cane toad, it presented a great
concern in the ecosystem since it also endangers the native plants to go
extinct which decreases biodiversity, alter the ecosystem and affects the
endemic species such as the native plants as it became poisonous with no
control in its population.

3. Spiraling whitefly (Aleurodicus dispeures)- This invasive species accidentally

introduced with the importation of ornamental kalanchoe in the 1970s. This
invasive species affects the endemic species especially the vegetables and
ornamentals because it reproduces quickly while harming the native plants
and ornamentals.

c. Discuss the importance of natural fire and its impact on the environment. (Site
an example)

Fires happen naturally, such when lightning strikes. Others could burn
spontaneously as a result of the ecosystem's dense vegetative accumulations
being compressed, degraded, producing heat. Boulders falling to the ground
could start a forest fire. Because it was crucial in the development of many
main forms of vegetation, including savannas and pine forests, as well as in
affecting how ecosystems function, fire is also vital to vegetation. Fire might
support dormant seeds in germination as well. Additionally, it can change
seedbeds to the advantage of other plant species. Additionally, it might cause
many woody and herbaceous species to produce seeds and increase
vegetative reproduction. Sanitization refers to the process of controlling
parasites, fungi, and insects in forests using fire. Additionally, it alters the
physicochemical environment of the plants and stimulates the flowering and
fruiting of many shrubs and herbs. Above all, fire might lead to more diverse
species.
It's not necessary for the fire to be a villain; rather, a controlled fire
benefits our wild lands and is actually essential to the existence of various
species. For instance, fire clears the forest floor of detritus, low-growing
underbrush, and other plant life while also exposing it to sunshine and
nourishing the soil. Existing trees can get stronger and healthier by reducing
this competition for resources. History informs us that woods had fewer,
larger, healthier trees hundreds of years ago. Although there are more trees in
forests now than in the past, they are not as big or healthy. For nutrients and
room, mature trees must compete with undergrowth.
d. Describe the forest ecosystem change of the Philippines
The Philippines were historically covered in 97% tropical rainforests during
the time of Spanish colonization. These forests were mostly made up of the four
main forest flora types: dipterocarp, mangrove, pine, and mossy. The most
economically significant species of dipterocarp vegetation are the trees. More
than 15 million hectares of secondary and undisturbed woods made up around
70% of the entire area of forests in the 1900s. 50% of the original forest cover
was still there by the end of World War II. A total of roughly 15 million hectares of
forest were lost between 1900 and before 2000. The country currently only has 6
million hectares left. Only a little more than a million hectares of primary woods
are left today.
e. Describe the concrete actions of the Philippine government to protect our
remaining forest?

The forests of the Philippines are among the planet's most biodiverse
terrestrial ecosystems, as is well recognized and documented. The social and
economic growth that results in forest loss and degradation, such as livestock
grazing, shifting agriculture, cash crops, etc., poses a severe threat to these
forests. The Philippine government, thankfully, is cognizant of the distinctiveness
and great diversity of the nation's woods, which has prompted them to offer
specific recommendations on how to safeguard our remaining forests. The
Philippine government has taken the following specific steps to save and
conserve our surviving forests.

 National programmes for conservation and management of

forest genetic resources

Activities for improving trees and conserving genetic resources

are included in national reforestation programs in the Philippines,
however these programs are not precisely defined. Due to a
predilection for natural regeneration techniques like seed trees for
pines and selective logging for dipterocarps, the breeding of forest
trees has historically received less attention than it deserves.
However, changes in socioeconomic and environmental factors
have encouraged more intensive plantation strategies that call for
attempts to conserve genetic resources and develop certain types
of trees.

 Integrated protected area systems

The creation of an integrated protected area system is the

primary method used in the Philippines to protect and conserve
biodiversity (IPAS). The IPAS was established to safeguard and
conserve a sample of each of the nation's ecosystems, habitat
types, and associated plant and animal species. The Parks and
Wildlife Bureau were established by Executive Order 192 to
coordinate government efforts to preserve biological variety in the
network of protected areas.
  Plus tree selection

Additionally, trees are continually being chosen throughout

the Philippine archipelago. The selection criteria are based on
morphology and pest and disease resistance, although there
haven't been many attempts to grow the chosen trees in nurseries.
Plus trees from 23 species were chosen in 1991 from eight
administrative districts of the nation. The identification and
documentation of 38 seed production areas (SPA) is complete. 61
locations for 19 different tree species' seed production have also
been discovered by the Forest Management Bureau (FMB). Plans
are also being developed to enhance the genetic makeup of these
SPAs. Although seed is being gathered from chosen plus trees and
SPAs, there is currently no system in place to track the transfer of
germplasm and its performance once planted.

 Institutional framework for conservation of forest genetic

resources

DENR is in charge of leading government initiatives for tree

breeding and propagation, with assistance from ERDB and the
Forest Management Bureau. The primary duty of DENR is to
advance the welfare of the Filipino people via social equality,
efficient forest management, and sustainable development of the
nation's forest resources. By conducting research and providing
government employees with both academic and practical training,
numerous state universities and colleges also supports DENR.

f. Discuss the importance of grazing animals and its effect to the environment.

Many animals used some grassland around the world as natural

grazing grounds. However, the development of pastoral economies had an
impact on global vegetation patterns. However, light grazing is advantageous
to vegetation. Succulent sprouts are able to grow. It might also lead to
effective seed dispersal. Because of the passage of grazed plants in the
stomach, it may also increase the quantity of nitrogen in the herbage area. By
creating new niches, it can potentially lead to an increase in species variety.
However, excessive grazing harms the vegetation. When the weather is dry,
excessive trampling will cause the size of the soil aggregates to decrease.
Water erosion and soil damage could potentially be accelerated. Additionally,
it can cause plants to die or have their photosynthesis significantly reduced
while allowing woody and toxic plants to encroach. It could, most importantly,
change a vegetated environment into grazing grassland.
REFERENCES:

STS 11 MODULE 2

https://www.globalforestwatch.org/dashboards/country/PHL/29/?
category=summary&location=WyJjb3VudHJ5IiwiUEhMIiwiMjkiXQ%3D
%3D&map=eyJjYW5Cb3VuZCI6ZmFsc2UsImRhdGFzZXRzIjpbeyJkYXRhc2V0Ijoic
G9saXRpY2FsLWJvdW5kYXJpZXMiLCJsYXllcnMiOlsiZGlzcHV0ZWQtcG9saXRpY2
FsLWJvdW5kYXJpZXMiLCJwb2xpdGljYWwtYm91bmRhcmllcyJdLCJib3VuZGFyeSI
6dHJ1ZSwib3BhY2l0eSI6MSwidmlzaWJpbGl0eSI6dHJ1ZX0seyJkYXRhc2V0IjoiTm
V0LUNoYW5nZS1TVEFHSU5HIiwibGF5ZXJzIjpbImZvcmVzdC1uZXQtY2hhbmdlIl0
sIm9wYWNpdHkiOjEsInZpc2liaWxpdHkiOnRydWUsInBhcmFtcyI6eyJ2aXNpYmlsaX
R5Ijp0cnVlLCJhZG1fbGV2ZWwiOiJhZG0xIn19XX0%3D&showMap=true

https://www.fao.org/3/ac648e/ac648e09.htm#:~:text=The%20main%20strategy
%20for%20protecting,their%20plant%20and%20animal%20species.