Bicol University Program: MS in Biodiversity and Environmental Management

Graduate School Subject: MSBEM 202- Biodiv. Concepts, Principles and Practices
Legazpi City Professor: Prof. Ma. Julieta Gonzales

MIDTERM EXAMINATION
Neil Dominic D. Careo, ChE
2nd Year, MS BEM

Please answer the following questions comprehensively .

1. Biodiversity is a key indicator of ecosystem’s health. Greater diversity leads to ecosystem

stability where it can withstand a disturbance than an ecosystem of the same size but with
lesser number of species. However, biodiversity does not always have the same role for every
ecosystem at every point in time. This relationship of biodiversity and natural ecosystem is very
complex. Please explain why.
Ans.
It is a well-established fact that species diversity and ecosystem stability have a direct
relationship with each other. Generally speaking, a greater species diversity (as determined by
alpha diversity) leads to greater ecosystem stability. However, the relationship between
biodiversity and natural ecosystem is still very complex due to human, ecological succession,
latitude and a wide array of other factors.
To give some context, take for example an ecosystem that has a high diversity but many
invasive species are present. We know that invasive species are capable of causing extinctions of
native plants and animals, reducing biodiversity, competing with native organisms for limited
resources, and altering habitats. Their control and removal are some of the options to maintain
the original ‘diversity’ of a particular ecosystem. In numbers, having an ecosystem with 100
native or indigenous species is more desired over having an ecosystem with 1000 species but
most of them are invasive species. In addition, a landscape that has been disturbed often has
high biodiversity, as colonizing species take advantage of the open niches. Many of these species
however, do not maintain lasting populations as time passes and succession occurs. Given time,
succession, and remediation from the disturbance, the landscape will likely be less diverse but it
will be more natural and representative of the original ecosystem.
Another example is the increase in biodiversity as we move towards the equator, but this
doesn’t mean that ecosystems that are further from the equator are not ‘healthy’ compared to
the ones near the tropical regions. Moreover, no matter how diverse an ecosystem is, this should
be as much as possible free from anthropogenic disturbances to maintain its natural state of
balance and stability.

2. During this pandemic, each family as much as possible should be self sufficient in food
particularly green leafy vegetables. Along this, what are community and family-led initiatives
 you can suggest to ensure that “sustainable diets are protective and respectful of biodiversity
and ecosystems”?.Please explain.
Ans.
As defined by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN),
sustainable diets are those diets with low environmental impacts which contribute to food and
nutrition security and to healthy life for present and future generations. Sustainable diets are
protective and respectful of biodiversity and ecosystems, culturally acceptable, accessible,
economically fair and affordable; nutritionally adequate, safe and healthy; while optimizing
natural and human resources. Our current battle against COVID-19 pandemic is taking its heavy
toll on the marginalized and less privileged families especially in our country. The economic and
social disruption caused by the pandemic is devastating, leaving some of them jobless and
financially challenged. This leads to a scarcity of basic needs such as food and water supply. For
the families to be self-sufficient in food in this trying times, they should start planting vegetables
in their homes especially the green and leafy ones. In fact, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is
intensifying the promotion of urban agriculture through the distribution of free vegetable seeds
and planting materials to the barangays nationwide. These barangays are also encouraged to
establish community gardens in their vacant spaces so they can plant, propagate, and produce
their local vegetable requirements. The DA-BPI distributes assorted seeds and planting materials
of such vegetables as eggplant, tomato, upo, sitao, okra, upland kangkong, mustard, pechay,
alugbati, saluyot, and onions. The use of organic compost/fertilizer is also recommended to
produce a healthy and economically affordable crops to ensure the health and safety of local
consumers.

3. According to Francis Bacon, “We can not command nature except by obeying her!” . What does
Bacon mean? Please explain.
Ans.
This famous line of Francis Bacon simply tells us that whatever we do to nature (good or
bad) will eventually come back to us. Human beings are inseparable with nature because we
only have one planet where we can survive and thrive—the Earth. However, our selfish and
destructive day to day activities such as continuous use of non-renewable energy resources like
fossil fuels, cutting down forests and farming livestock as main source of food supply not only
affect the biodiversity but also increase the greenhouse gases present in the atmosphere,
thereby causing global warming and climate change. The world is now facing a lot of
environmental concerns which could have been averted if only people were aware of the
consequences of their actions to the environment. We are now experiencing stronger typhoons,
heavy flooding, El Niňo and La Niňa and the rise of sea levels due to faster rate of evaporation
and precipitation and melting of polar ice caps. Hence, we should be wise by being caring, by
being responsible because in the end we would be destroyed by the very destructive culture that
we have propagated. We should start doing something to alleviate the impact of these hazards
to the biodiversity and environment as a whole, through climate adaptation and mitigation.
Simple acts such as powering up our homes
 with renewable energy, investing in energy-saving appliances, applying the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle) and planting trees will surely make a positive difference for us to restore the natural
state and balance of nature.

4. In the province where you live, do your local government authority run an active biodiversity
conservation initiative? If yes, explain Or if none, identify pre-ecological activities your LGU can
do along biodiversity conservation anchored on a new DENR administrative encouraging LGUs to
formulate and implement their own Biodiversity Management Plan.
Ans.
As a person who is currently affiliated with the City Government of Legazpi thru the
Office of the City Environment and Natural Resources (OCENR), I can say that the City is planning
and implementing various biodiversity conservation initiatives through its Local Climate Change
Action Plan (LCCAP), Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) and Greenhouse Gas Management
Plan, to name a few. LGU Legazpi recognizes the significant role of the natural environment and
the proper management of the City’s natural resources towards a climate resilient City. It
believes that an ecologically balanced natural environment and the ecosystem services they
provide can help enhance and complement its built environment, sustain its local economy and
promote inter-generational security.
The LCCAP of Legazpi City will emphasize on actions that would contribute to the
restoration and expansion of its upland forests and watersheds; expansion and protection of its
key biodiversity areas such as mangroves, swamps, sea grasses, coral reefs; reclaiming and
transforming its waterways as part of the urban landscape, and establish additional green buffer
spaces within the built areas and along rivers and creeks. Below are some of the priority
programs, projects and activities of Legazpi along biodiversity conservation and climate change
adaptation and mitigation:
1. Buyuan, Bagong Abre, Bonga, and Pawa Critical Watershed Master Planning. This project
covers the Buyuan watershed that contributes to the potable water requirements of the City.
With the projected decreasing annual rainfall, increasing frequency of extreme events,
expansion of settlements, and increased rate of deforestation, there is a need to formulate a
master plan to properly manage forest resources, determine compatible land resource use
areas (e.g. food production spaces, recreation/open spaces), delineate use zones and
implement regulatory land use policies within the watershed zone with the prime objective
of protecting one of the major potable water point sources of the City benefiting the whole
population of the City and communities within he Buyuan Watershed.
2. Coconut Plantation Diversification Pilot Project. This project aims to transform existing
coconut areas by maximizing horizontal and vertical spaces, densifying and diversifying its
food production system. Areas under the coconut canopy can be further intercropped with
crops that thrive on shady conditions. This will maximize and diversify the income sources of
 coconut farmers. This supports the food security, stable natural environment and green and
climate resilient economy strategic priorities of the LCCAP and supports the objectives of
increased farm income through the adoption of alternative climate resilient diversified food
production systems among farmers. This pilot project would initially benefit 20 coconut
dependent households covering 50 hectares of coconut production areas. This would also
benefit the 2,054 coconut dependent households covering 4,779 hectares of coconut areas
of adopted in all coconut production areas.
3. Mangrove rehabilitation in Southern Barangays. Mangrove rehabilitation in Southern
Barangays is a reforestation and restoration project intended to enhance ecosystem services
of mangrove areas and how it ensures the quality and productivity of nearby coral reefs and
sea grass beds in the southern Barangays. This supports the sustainable natural
environment and food security strategic priorities of the LCCAP, and supports the objective
of sustained production of 658 hectares of healthy sea grass beds/mangroves and sustained
production of 759 hectares of healthy corals of 20 metric tons per hectare per year by 2030.
It also supports the mitigation objective of increased mangrove forest cover at the river
mouth of Dawitan, Bagacay, Homapon, Banquerohan to filter sediments/silts going leading
to sea grass beds and coral reef areas.
4. Artificial and Natural Rehabilitation of Coral Reefs. Rehabilitation of coral reefs in the
Dawitan River mouth and Poliqui Bay aims to regain the declining environmental integrity of
the coral reef resources and help boost the tourism industry of the city to benefit coastal
communities. This supports the sustainable natural environment and food security strategic
priorities of the LCCAP, and supports the objective of sustained production of 759 hectares of
healthy corals of 20 metric tons per hectare per year by 2030.