PNTC COLLEGES

Zone III, Lt. Cantimbuhan St. Poblacion, Dasmariñas City

GENERAL EDUCATION
ONLINE DISTANCE LEARNING MODULE

COURSE CODE HUM 309 PRE-REQUISITE None

COURSE TITLE Arts and Humanities SEMESTER 1st
(World Geography and Intercultural Relationship)
UNITS 3 YEAR LEVEL 1st
COURSE DESCRIPTION This module is designed to allow learners to study the world and the different cultures.
Learners will learn the themes of geography, the features that define the earth, the climate
patterns of the earth, and how to study peoples and cultures around the world. This
includes the human, physical, and cultural traits of an area.
CREATED BY Minsoware S. Bacolod – Faculty, General Education

MODULE 3 (WEEK 3)
Ecosystem: Meaning and Nature, Types of Ecosystem, Plants and Animals
TOPIC LEARNING OUTCOMES

The students shall be able to:

1. Discuss the meaning and nature of ecosystem.

2. Inculcate the importance of preserving the earth’s land formations and ecosystems.
3. Distinguish the different types of ecosystem.
4. Explain the plants and animal’s contribution to ecosystem.

ENGAGE

Analyze picture, what do you observe on the picture?

EXPLORE

1. What can you say about ecosystem today?

2. What is ecosystem mean?

Form No. BPM2-CME 20 F-009 HUM 309 (Module 3)

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EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE

Meaning and Nature of Ecosystem

 It is the complex of living organisms, their

physical environment, and all their interrelationships in
a particular unit of space.
 An ecosystem can be categorized into its
abiotic constituents,
including minerals, climate, soil, water, sunlight, and all
other nonliving elements, and its biotic constituents,
consisting of all its living members.

Types of Ecosystem

 Ecosystem types abound; however, the most basic categorization involves three habitats: terrestrial, marine,
and aquatic.
 Naturally, these groups can be split into thousands of smaller systems, each one offering a different mix of
climate, habitat and life forms.

Terrestrial Ecosystems – Global Land-Based Habitats

 At approximately 57 268 900 square miles, the terrestrial ecosystem covers just 29% of the globe. As these
habitats are varied, terrestrial ecosystems are further broken down into six types.
 The deciduous forest ecosystem is found in temperate regions and experiences temperature and
precipitation fluctuations according to four seasons.
 Current conservation goals include reintroducing apex predators after the culling practices of previous
centuries, and providing an environment full with mature trees to make up for unregulated deforestation.
 Desert ecosystems can be hot and dry, semi-arid, coastal or cold.

Form No. BPM2-CME 20 F-009 HUM 309 (Module 3)

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 The feature that links these is a lack of water and the absence of a soil layer in which larger vegetation such
as shrubs and trees can thrive.
 While indigenous life has adapted to the absence of water, a desert is still unable to support the populations
of a wetter habitat.
 Substantially sized herbivores are unable to survive in a desert environment in large numbers, and this in turn
limits the numbers of larger omnivores and carnivores.

How do Plants and Animals Contribute to Ecosystem

 Think of some plants in your life. Maybe you have a tree in your house, or trees and grass in your yard. Now,
think about some things that plants do for you.
 Perhaps you think they clean your air in your home, or provide shade to lounge in outside. While these are
good things that they do, plants do much more than this.
 They provide oxygen for us, play a role in the carbon cycle, control global warming, etc.
 Plants are the most important producers; Plants use energy from sunlight to convert CO2 into glucose (or
other sugars). Plants with roles in the ecosystem are called ecological services.
 They keep us and the rest of the ecosystem alive. Today, we are going to talk about the role of plants in
ecosystem. Read ahead and let that sink in.
 A plant ecosystem is made up of animals, plants and bacteria, as well as the physical and chemical
environments they create. The living parts of an ecosystem are called biological factors, while those that interact
with environmental factors are called abiotic factors.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

 Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the main greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
 Plants take in CO2 and release oxygen through the process of photosynthesis. This CO2 is used as building
blocks for new tissues such as their trunk, branches, leaves and roots that act as carbon stores.
 When forests are pruned or burned, huge amounts of carbon are deposited in plant tissue and the soil is
released into the atmosphere.
 This is why it is so important to protect these habitats, especially in ancient primary forests with native species
that have had very little human existence in the past.

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Photosynthesis
 Photosynthesis is the process that green plants use to convert light into chemical energy, as an energy-rich
sugar, necessary for growth. Green color in plants results from a chemical called chlorophyll.
 Chlorophyll absorbs the blue and red part of the light spectrum but reflects green light, making most plants
appear green.
 Photosynthesis consumes carbon dioxide as part of the photosynthesis process, emitting oxygen as a
byproduct.

Oxygen
 An important byproduct of photosynthesis is oxygen. According to sources, a single large tree can produce
enough oxygen for four people in one day. Without plants, humans and animals will have less air to breathe.
 Through the process of photosynthesis, plants release oxygen back into the atmosphere.
 What you don't know is that plants from the sea are the ones that provide the most of the air we breathe.
These single-celled plants that flourish in the sea are also known as phytoplankton.
 Green terrestrial plants make atmospheric oxygen which is essential for the survival of living organisms.

Food
 Since plants are considered the primary producers, ecology
plants play an important role in feeding the earth's wildlife and
humans. Insects, animals, birds, and microbes feed on green
plants.
 These organisms are subsequently eaten by larger animals,
which are themselves eaten by even larger animals.
 Herbivorous like deer rely directly on plants to meet their
dietary needs, while carnivores, such as lions, feed on animals
that also feed on plants for their survival. And omnivores, like
humans, depend on both.

Purify Air
 Plants improve air quality through several mechanisms: they increase humidity by transferring water vapor
through microscopic leaf pores, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen through photosynthesis. But plants
are not usually selected for indoor use, not for air-purifying capabilities, but for their appearance and survival ability.
 Plants have also shown to lower stress levels at home and in the workplace and, if that’s not enough, also
boast the additional health benefits below:
 They help you sleep better.
 They help fight colds.
 They help you focus.
 They help improve your wellbeing.

 Some of the major air purifying plants that contribute to the ecosystem in cleansing the air quality are;
Philodendron, Snake plant, Peace lily, Rubber plant, Dracaena, etc.
 Plants- are mainly multicellular organisms, predominantly photosynthetic eukaryotes of
the kingdom Plantae
 Animals- It is also called Metazoa, a multicellular eukaryotic organisms that form the biological
kingdom Animalia.

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Zone III, Lt. Cantimbuhan St. Poblacion, Dasmariñas City

Impact of People
 Food shortage as the lands become barren and the oceans become fishless.
 Losses of biodiversity as whole species of living things disappear due to deforestation.
 Pollution will eventually become unmanageable and affect our health. Rising temperatures may be too much
for all living things on the planet.

EVALUATE

1. What are the different types of ecosystem?

2. Compare and contrast terrestrial ecosystem to marine ecosystem using columns.

EXTEND

1. How do plants and animals contribute to the ecosystem?

2. Why does over population affects ecosystem?
3. In your own opinion, what is the major role of plants and animals to the ecosystem?

References:

Books:
R1 - Agno, Lyd ia N. & Juanico, Meliton B. 2001. Physical Geography. Rex Bookstore Inc. Sampaloc, Manila
R2 - Coloma, Teresita M., Llenas, Milrose P., Meer, Teresita C., Villamil, Alicia T. 2012. Essential of Sociology and
Anthropology; An Interactive Study. C&E Publishing Inc. Quezon City.
R3 - Duka, Cecilio D. 2007. World Geography. Revised Edition. Rex Bookstore Inc. Sampaloc, Manila
R4 - Leano, Roman Jr., 2005. Society and Culture for College students: A modular approach. Mindshapers. Makati City
R5 - Palispis, Epitacio S. 2007. Introduction to sociology and anthropology. Rex Bookstore Inc. Sampaloc, Manila

Link:
R6- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_chain, www.britannica.com/science/food-chain
.
Revision Status:

MOD HUM 309(3)

Rev.: 01
Issue Date:
September 10, 2021

Form No. BPM2-CME 20 F-009 HUM 309 (Module 3)

Rev.03 Page 5 of 5
COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Copyright © 2021 PNTC Colleges, All rights reserved.
When printed, this document is uncontrolled unless properly identified as controlled