Biodiversity

-short for “biological diversity”

-refers to the variety of life on Earth and all its levels, from genes
to ecosystems, and also the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural
processes that sustain life.
-includes not only species we consider rare, threatened, or
endangered but also living thing – from humans to organisms we
know little about, such as microbes, fungi and invertebrates
Human cultural biodiversity is part of Biodiversity
 human use, knowledge, and beliefs, influence and in turn are
influenced, by the ecological systems of which human communities
are a part.

This relationship makes all of biodiversity important to our wellbeing

as they all play a role in maintaining a diverse and healthy planet.
• Recognised as the hottest of biodiversity hotspots — a global conservation priority area
which faces significant threats — the Philippines, together with other megadiverse
countries, hosts over two-thirds of Earth’s plant and animal species. However, increasing
human activity has pushed its wildlife to the edge of collapse.

• Several endemic species in the Philippines have only four percent of their natural forest
habitat remaining. At sea, unsustainable fishing has reduced fish populations, putting
pressure on the ocean’s ability to provide food and incomes.

• The nation is also an international hub for illegal wildlife trafficking, while the domestic
exotic pet and bushmeat trade continues to threaten biodiversity. Authorities lack
support in enforcing national protection laws and are largely overwhelmed by the sheer
volume of illegal activity. Poor communications infrastructure in areas where wildlife
trafficking occur compounds the issue — as citizens and law enforcers find it difficult to
report violations. Additionally, persistent negative practices and the lack of valuation of
nature drive this harmful trade.
Major Threats to Biodiversity
1. Habitat loss and fragmentation
2. Nonnative, invasive species
3. Pollution
4. Unsustainable Use of Resources
5. Global climate change
1. Habitat Destruction/Loss
-reduction in the amount of space where a particular species, or
group of species can survive and reproduce.
occurs when natural habitats are no longer able to support the species
present, resulting in the displacement or destruction of its biodiversity.
Examples include harvesting fossil fuels, deforestation, mining.
dredging rivers, bottom trawling, urbanization, filling in wetlands and
mowing fields.
2. Invasive Species
non-native species that invade normal and healthy ecosystems and
threaten the survival of the native species, attacking them or
competing for their habitat’s resources
In their new ecosystems, invasive alien species become predators,
competitors, parasites, hybridizers, and diseases of native and
domesticated plants and animals.
 they upset the native biota and ecosystems thereby causing
extinctions and massive threats to biodiversity
Examples of non-native Species and their Impact Globally
Examples of Nonnative Species in the Philippines
Gmelina arborea
Acacia mangium
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Spiraling whitefly (Aleurodicus dispeures)
Mealy bug (Pseudococcus sp.)
Host of Ozola minor, Attacus and Xyleutis spp.
Host of Anoplophora luciphor
Host of unidentified termite species
Affected vegetables and ornamentals.
Accidentally introduced with the importation of
ornamental kalanchoe in the 1970s
Affects coconut in Northern Palawan. Accidentally
introduced in 1990 with the importation of hybrid
coconut planting materials
Ways to Manage Introduced Species
• Enforcement of rigid inspection and quarantine regulations
• Rigid inspection and quarantine regulations are needed to safeguard
against inadvertent transportation, especially of pests introduced
through the importation of logs and reforestation species. It was
emphasized that the evaluation of imports, especially of forest
products, should be conducted jointly by the DENR and the
Department of Agriculture (DA). It was also agreed to advocate
species–site matching as an approach to reforestation; it is
recommended that indigenous species should be favoured over alien
species.
• One activity will be the development of a regional/national programme for taxonomists to
build core competencies and expertise in identifying specific groups of alien species.
• Enhancement of public awareness and encouragement of advocacy campaigns
• This will enable people to understand the effects of alien species on our ecosystems.
Furthermore, their commitment and participation can be elicited. Improved education and
dissemination of information should be undertaken.
• Conduct more research on the effects and management of alien species
• Research to determine the beneficial or invasive attributes of introduced alien species
should commence or continue. This should include tracking through time, and tagging when
applicable. Research results should be disseminated to the appropriate parties/end users so
that action to control or eradicate IAS and limit further introductions can be justified and
implemented.
• Establishment or development of a database
• A meta database that will enable agencies/interested parties to locate data or which agency
to approach to obtain data shall be established on Web sites. Data holders will retain the
information in their respective agencies and accessing will be governed by regulations and
procedures. The database will include a list of recognized invasive species and case studies of
levels of damage and of control measures employed.
• The only way we can manage IAS is by understanding their
characteristics and the processes involved in the invasion. Legislations
and regulations to restrict the movement of unwanted organisms are
very important. Prevention of introduction is clearly more cost
efficient than eradication or control of IAS once they are established.
4. Pollution

 pollutants such as sulfur can lead to excess levels of acid in lakes and streams, and
damage trees and forest soils;
 atmospheric nitrogen can reduce the biodiversity of plant communities and harm fish and
other aquatic life;
 ozone damages tree leaves and negatively affects scenic vistas in protected natural areas;
 mercury and other heavy metal compounds emitted as exhaust from fuel combustion can
eventually accumulate in plants and animals, some of which are consumed by people.
• Analysis of long-term study showed that mayfly populations were
significantly reduced in poorly oxygenated (polluted) stream sites,
and that these reductions were particularly pronounced under warm
water conditions. In short, low oxygen levels reduced the optimum
stream temperature for mayfly populations, and threatened their
abundance.
5. Population Growth
• Population growth and increasing resource consumption affect
biodiversity in two ways:
 they create pressure to convert wildlife habitat into agricultural
and urban land, and
 they produce wastes that pollute habitat and poison wildlife
6. Unsustainable Resource Use
• Overharvesting, or overfishing in the case of fish and marine
invertebrates, depletes some species to very low numbers and drives
others to extinction.
• Terrestrial animals may be overexploited as sources of food,
garments, jewelry, medicine, or pets. For example, the poaching of
elephants for their valuable ivory and rhinos for their horns, which
are used in traditional medicine, is a major threat to these species.
6. Climate Change
• As climate change alters temperature and weather patterns, it will
also impact plant and animal life.
• Rising temperatures already affect the world's polar regions.
Diminishing ice packs reduce the habitats of polar bears, penguins,
puffins, and other Arctic creatures. As the ice melts, it increases the
sea level, which will affect and perhaps destroy ecosystems on
coastlines.
• Changes in temperatures will also cause shifts in mating cycles,
especially for migratory animals that rely on changing seasons to
indicate their migration and reproductive timing.
• Rising sea levels will also cause changes to ocean temperatures and
perhaps even currents. Such changes would have a strong impact on
zooplankton, an essential part of the food chain in the ocean. Shifts in
where plankton live and how big the size of their populations could
upset the biodiversity in the Earth's waters. Whales, especially, could
bear the brunt of this, as many whale species require mass amounts
of plankton to survive.
• In addition, increased carbon dioxide causes acidification of the
ocean, affecting creatures and plants that are sensitive to pH
imbalances.
Effects of Biodiversity Loss
As biodiversity decreases, there will be far-reaching effects.
Disruptions in the food chain may greatly affect not only ecosystems
but also humanity's ability to feed an ever-growing population. For
example, losing diverse insect species will decrease plant pollination.
Additionally, this may decrease humanity's ability to produce
medicine, as extinction claims more and more key plant species.
Occurrences of more calamities, as biodiversity protects against
natural disasters, such as grasses that have evolved specifically to
resist the spread of wildfires.
Endangered Species
1. Visayan Warty Pig
2. Marine Sea Turtle
3. Philippine Freshwater Crocodile
4. Tarsier
5. Sea Cow
6. Philippine Eagle
7. Tamaraw
Protection and Conservation of
Biodiversity
(Module 4 p. 36)
1. In situ- approaches – include methods and tools that protect species, genetic varieties,
and habitats in the wild.(NIPAS Act of 1992)
ex. National Parks, Marine Reserves, Watershed Forest Reserves
Region VI: Bulabog Putian
Mt. Canlaon
TINMR
2. Ex-situ approaches – include methods that remove plants, animals,
and microbial species and genetic varieties from their environment.
ex. botanical gardens, zoos
3. Socio-economic strategies
ex. Economic incentives
NIPAS (National Integrated Protected Area System)Act
• Protected Areas in the Philippines
The mission of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), a Bureau of
the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources of the Republic
of the Philippines, is the conservation of the country's biological diversity.
• Conservation of Wildlife Resources
• Information and Education for Nature Conservation
• PAWB envisions a perpetual existence of biological and physical diversities in
a system of protected areas and such other important biological
components of the environment managed by a well-informed and
empowered citizenry for the sustainable use and enjoyment of present and
future generations.
Assignment:

Identify example/s of biodiversity conservation programs

implemented in your barangay/town/province. Choose one program
and explain how the success of this program would help address the
economic, recreational and human health arguments in favour of
biodiversity. For example, how might the success of this conservation
program help indigenous people.