biodiversity

Biodiversity describes how varied are life

forms in different ecosystems. The Philippines
is known for its very rich biodiversity.
According to an article
published in the
department of
Environment and
Natural resources
(DENR) 2014 website, “
The country has more
than 52,177 described
species of which more
than half is found
nowhere else in the
world.”
On a per unit area
basis, the Philippines
probably harbors
more diversity of life
than any on the
country on the
planet. But our
country is also
considered as a
biodiversity hotspot.
This is because our
country is
continuously
experiencing an
alarming rate of
environmental
destruction like
damage of coral
reefs, forests and
other similar important
resources.
Organisms are part of
biodiversity and may be
economically and
ecologically valuable.
Their products are source
of food, medicine,
clothing, shelter and
energy. These organisms
are also important in
maintaining balance in the
ecosystem as they perform
their specific roles.
Some species
maintain the quality
of natural bodies of
water; some
prevent soil erosion
and floods, cycle
minerals in the soil
and absorb
pollutants.
 The value of species can be divided
into various categories.
1. Direct economic value
The species is considered
to have direct economic
value if their products
are sources of food,
medicine, clothing,
shelter and energy. For
example, some
medicines being used
nowadays have
formulations extracted
from plants or animals.
2. Indirect economic value
A species has indirect
economic value if there
are benefits produced by
the organism without using
them. For example,
certain species maintain
the chemical quality of
natural bodies of water,
prevent soil erosion and
floods, cycle materials in
the soil, and absorb
pollutants.
3. Aesthetic value
A lot of species
provides visual artistic
enjoyment , like a
forested landscape
and the calming
beauty of a natural
park; or they may be
used for spiritual
meditation like the
prayer mountains.
Biodiversity is very
important because it
sustains the food web
on earth through flow of
energy and contributes
to environmental
stability. Stability of an
ecosystem can be
described as the
resilience to withstand
changes that may
occur in the
environment.
There are many changes that may occur in the
environment which may be a result of natural or
human activities. These changes may severely
reduce biodiversity and result to the instability of
the ecosystem.
What is Population? - It is a group of organisms of
the same species that live in a certain area.
There are many factors that can cause a
population size to change.
Birth rate (Natality) - is the ratio between the
number of live-born births in the year and the
average total population of that year.
Death rate (Mortality) - number of organisms that
are dying in a population. Thus, if the birth rate is
greater than the death rate, a population will
grow. If the death rate is greater than birth rate,
then the population will decrease.
 A population’s growth is limited by
two general factors.

Density-independent
factors
These are the limiting
factors that can stop
population from
growing can be such
things as natural
disasters, temperature,
sunlight, and the
activities of humans in
the environment.
 Density-dependent
factors
These are the factors that
come into play when
population reaches a
certain number of
organisms. For example,
when population reaches
a certain size, there won’t
be enough resources
(food, shelter, water) for
all the organisms.
What is carrying capacity? - Carrying capacity
refers to the number of individuals that can be
supported in a given area within natural resource
limits, and without degrading the natural social,
cultural and economic environment for present
and future generations
 When resources are unlimited,
populations exhibit exponential growth,
resulting in a J-shaped curve.

Before the population

reaches the carrying
capacity, it
experiences a period
of rapid growth. This
period growth is called
exponential
population growth.
When resources are
limited, populations
exhibit logistic growth.
In logistic growth,
population expansion
decreases as resources
become scarce. It
levels off when the
carrying capacity of
the environment is
reached, resulting in an
S-shaped curve.
1.What is Biodiversity?
2.How will you compare the Biodiversity in the
Philippines before and today?
3.How important biodiversity is, in maintaining
a balanced environment?
4.Think of human activities that contribute to
the destruction of ecosystems.
5.As a student, how will you promote the
maintenance of biodiversity?