PAMANTASAN NG LUNGSOD NG VALENZUELA

GE 7
Science, Technology & Society

Name: MANALAYSAY, Ken D. Year Level: 1st Year

Program/Section: BSBA HRDM 1-2 1st Semester, AY 2023-2024
Lecturer: Ms. Ma. Angelica P. Buensuceso, LPT, MAEd

UNIT 4: LESSON 1
Biodiversity

I. Answer the following comprehensive questions to the best of your knowledge.

1. How do humans benefit from biodiversity? (5 PTS.)

Biodiversity benefits humanity in a variety of ways. Plants, animals, and microorganisms

of many varieties serve mankind with medicine, food, and other resources. Biodiversity also
contributes to the health and resilience of ecosystems, which is critical for our own well-being.
For example, diverse ecosystems can better withstand diseases and pests, and they provide
important services like water purification and soil fertility. Additionally, interacting with nature
and experiencing its diversity can improve our mental and physical health.

2. How important is biodiversity in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem? (5 PTS.)

The maintenance of ecosystem balance heavily depends on biodiversity. Each species has
a role or position, in the ecosystem. They depend on one another in different ways. When there is
a range of species the ecosystem becomes more stable and capable of withstanding disruptions.
Biodiversity also plays a role in regulating processes like nutrient cycling and carbon storage. If
biodiversity were to decline ecosystems would become unbalanced leading to the decline of
species and potentially causing reaching effects on other species and the environment, as a whole.

3. According to Suzuki David (1936), if we pollute the air, water and soil that keep us alive and
well, and destroy the biodiversity that allows natural systems to function, no amount of money
will save us. Explain this statement. (5 PTS.)

Suzuki David's statement highlights the interconnectedness of our well-being with the
health of the environment. Pollution and destruction of biodiversity have significant consequences
for human survival and the functioning of natural systems. When we pollute the air, water, and
soil, we degrade the conditions necessary for our own existence. Similarly, when we destroy
biodiversity, we disrupt the intricate web of interactions that support life on Earth. No matter how
much money we have, we cannot undo the damage caused by the destruction of nature and the
resulting loss of essential ecosystem services.

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II. Complete the given table by identifying the possible effect of each scenario to biodiversity.
(10 PTS.)

CAUSE EFFECT
1. Deforestation
Deforestation in the Philippines is a major leading to a decline in biodiversity and the
cause of biodiversity loss. Trees are being cut extinction of many endemic species.
down for timber, agriculture, and urbanization.
This destroys habitats, disrupts ecological
processes, and displaces wildlife,
2. Water pollution
Water pollution in the Philippines, caused by Polluted water bodies harm aquatic
industrial waste, agricultural run-off, and ecosystems, killing fish and other organisms.
improper waste disposal, negatively impacts This disruption in the food chain affects the
biodiversity. entire ecosystem, causing the decline of
various species and the loss of biodiversity.
3. Hunting
Unsustainable hunting practices in the This not only affects the targeted species but
Philippines have detrimental effects on also impacts other organisms dependent on or
biodiversity. Overhunting of certain species interconnected with them, leading to
disrupts ecological balance, as their biodiversity loss.
populations decline or become locally extinct.
4. Over exploitation of natural resources
The over exploitation of natural resources in This leads to the decline or extinction of
the Philippines, such as fisheries and minerals, species and further diminishes biodiversity.
is causing significant biodiversity loss.
Unsustainable practices, including overfishing
and illegal logging, deplete populations and
disrupt ecosystems.
5. Climate change
Climate change significantly impacts Many unique and endemic species are
biodiversity in the Philippines. Rising particularly vulnerable to these changes,
temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns resulting in biodiversity loss and decreased
(means pag bago ng panahon ng tag-ulan or resilience of ecosystems in the Philippines.
rainy season), and sea-level rise disrupt
ecosystems, leading to habitat loss and species
displacement.

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