Module 3 Lesson 2.

Biodiversity and Healthy

Society

Inst. Christian C. Estacion

GED104 - Science, Technology, and Society
Intended Learning Outcomes

1 2 3
Link historical and Explain biodiversity Document a personal
philosophical and its importance in practice that promotes
concepts in the achieving a healthy biodiversity
specific S&T issue of society. conservation.
biodiversity.
Biodiversity Defined

• Variability among living organisms from

all sources including all the ecological
complexes of which they are a part,
this includes diversity within species,
between species and ecosystem -
Convention on Biodiversity, 1992
• The totality of genes, species, and
ecosystems in a region - International
Union for the Conservation of Nature,
1992
Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth
and the essential interdependence of all
living things.

• The tremendous variety of life on

Earth is made possible by complex
interactions among all living things
including microscopic species like
algae and mites.
• “Everything is connected to
everything.” -Barry Commoner-
Father of the Ecological Movement
There are three
components of
biodiversity.
 Daschaund Husky Poodle Pug

• Refers to total genetic information contained in the genes of

individuals of plants, animals and microorganisms. Genetic
diversity is comparatively less obvious level of diversity as it
Genetic Diversity represents variations within species.
• Daschaund, Husky. Poodle and Pug are all dogs—but they're not
the same because their genes are different.
On corn
kernels and
genetic
biodiversity.
Species Diversity
It is the most common level of diversity and comprises the
number of different species at a place.
 Species diversity is
defined as the number of
species and abundance of
each species that live in a
particular location. The
number of species that
live in a certain location is
called species richness.
 Taiga

Ecosystem
Diversity
Desert
• Ecosystem diversity deals with the
variations in ecosystems within a
Tundra geographical location and its
overall impact on human
existence and the environment.
• Ecological diversity is a type
of biodiversity.
• It is the variation in the
ecosystems found in a region or
the variation in ecosystems over
the whole planet.
Ecosystem
Biodiversity
• It relates to variety of habitats,
biotic communities and ecological
processes in the biosphere, and is
considered as complex level of
diversity.
 Benefits of
Biodiversity

• Our biodiversity is very important

to the well-being of our planet.
• Most cultures, at least at some
time, have recognized the
importance of conserving natural
resources. Many still do, but many
do not.

Source:
https://news.globallandscapesforum.org/44538/biodive
rsity-101-why-it-matters-and-how-to-protect-it/
Healthy ecosystems
and rich biodiversity:
• Increase ecosystem productivity; each species
in an ecosystem has a specific niche—a role to
play.
• Support a larger number of plant species and,
therefore, a greater variety of crops.
• Protect freshwater resources.
• Promote soils formation and protection.
• Provide for nutrient storage and recycling.
• Aid in breaking down pollutants.
• Contribute to climate stability.
• Speed recovery from natural disasters.
• Provide more food resources.
• Provide more medicinal resources and
pharmaceutical drugs.
• Offer environments for recreation and tourism.
 •There is evidence to suggest that the loss of biodiversity could increase the
number of cases of zoonosis, in other words, diseases transmitted from animals
to humans. In fact, 70 % of emerging infectious diseases in recent years have
stemmed from zoonosis.
Biodiversity: The •Since several species are often involved in the spread of infection, the loss of
biodiversity and extinction of many of those species increases the chances of
key to curbing the pathogens reaching human beings.
•Therefore, while the World Health Organization asks us to prepare for possible
pandemics unexpected scenarios.
•Scientists insist that surrounding ourselves with healthy, functional and species-
rich ecosystems would be best for humankind and for the stability of our planet.
Wildlife markets
spread CoViD-19.

As humans
diminish biodiversity by
cutting down forests and
building more infrastructure,
they're increasing the risk of
disease pandemics such as
COVID-19.
HOW NATURE PROTECTS US
FROM POTENTIAL
PANDEMICS

•According to some scientists, our planet's

biodiversity has two protection mechanisms:
•Dilution - When a virus reaches an
intermediary host in which it is unable to
achieve optimal concentration to thrive,
meaning the chances of it continuing to
spread are very low.
•Buffer - When a virus reaches an
intermediary host whose genetic diversity
allows it to adapt to the virus, thereby
becoming resistant.
 Module 3 Lesson 2.
Biodiversity and Healthy
Society

Inst. Christian C. Estacion

GED104 - Science, Technology, and Society