Republic of the Philippines

CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE

San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur 4418
ISO 9001:2015 www.cbsua.edu.ph
TÜV-R 01 100 1934918

three possible futures: adapt to the new conditions through natural selection, migrate (if
possible) to another area with more favorable conditions, or become extinct. Species that are
found in only one area, called endemic species, are especially vulnerable to extinction. They
exist on islands and in other unique areas, especially in tropical rain forests where most
species have highly specialized roles. For these reasons, they are unlikely to be able to
migrate or adapt in the face of rapidly changing environmental conditions. Many of these
endangered species are amphibians, such as the now-extinct golden toad. Throughout most
of the earth’s long history, species have disappeared at a low rate, called the background
extinction rate— the rate that existed before the human population began growing
exponentially. In contrast, a mass extinction is a significant rise in extinction rates above the
background rate. In such a catastrophic, widespread, and often global event, large groups of
species (25–95% of all species) are wiped out, primarily because of major, widespread
environmental changes. Fossil and geological evidence indicate that there have been at least
three and probably five mass extinctions (at intervals of 20–60 million years) during the past
500 million years. A mass extinction provides an opportunity for the evolution of new species
that can fill unoccupied ecological niches or newly created ones. Scientific evidence indicates
that each occurrence of mass extinction has been followed by an increase in species diversity
over several million years as new species have arisen to occupy new habitats or to exploit
newly available resources. As environmental conditions change, the balance between
speciation and extinction determines the earth’s biodiversity (Concept 4.4A). The existence of
millions of species today means that speciation, on average, has kept ahead of extinction.
However, evidence indicates that the global extinction rate is rising dramatically. Many
scientists argue that this and other evidence indicate that we are experiencing the beginning
of a new sixth mass extinction. There is also considerable evidence that much of the current
rise in the extinction rate and the resulting loss of biodiversity are primarily due to human
activities (Concept 4.4B), as our ecological footprints spread over the planet. Research
indicates that the largest cause of the rising rate of species extinctions is the loss,
fragmentation, and degradation of habitats.

Explore (Tasks/Activities)
Activity 3.1

Answer the following:

1. How might we and other species be affected if most or all amphibians (Core Case
Study) were to go extinct?

Amphibians are important indicator species. If all amphibians were gone, the
environment (and all lives in it) would be in deadly danger without any warning.

2. Is the human species a keystone species? Explain. If humans were to become extinct,
what are three species that might also become extinct and what are three species
whose populations would probably grow?

I would agree. Because if humans extinct, the animals in city would not survive because
their constant food source is destroyed. Besides, those live in farms would die because
they are used to the way getting food from farms rather than searching food in wild. The
 population of mouse, chicken, and dog would probably decrease while those eagle,
tiger, and wolves would increase.

3. If you were forced to choose between saving the giant panda from extinction and saving
a shark species, which would you choose? Explain.

Save amphibians. It is a large group of organism and have a specific duty in the
environment. However, those two are not comparable. One is a species, while the other
is a group; they live in different environments and what makes them extinct would be
different.

4. How would you respond to someone who tells you that:

a. he or she does not believe in biological evolution because it is “just a theory”?

Theory means something has a high possibility to be true. However, it is also

possible for other theories to be true.

b. we should not worry about air pollution because natural selection will enable
humans to develop lungs that can detoxify pollutants?

Natural selection happens over a long time. If a species cannot adapt to change
the environment, it extinct. In another word, it is possible for humans to be extinct.

5. How would you respond to someone who says that because extinction is a natural
process, we should not worry about the loss of biodiversity when species become extinct
largely as a result of our activities?

There are different types of extinction. The one happens naturally is at a rate that is not
threatening to the environment. However, humans create massive extinction which can
be very harmful to certain environments.

6. What role does each of the following processes play in helping to implement the three
scientific principles of sustainability: (a) natural selection, (b) speciation, and (c)
extinction?

(a) The natural selection helps maintain the biodiversity so that the balance is not
broken. It also contributes to the survival of the fittest.
(b) The separation helps to create new species, which increases biodiversity.
Biodiversity helps to maintain sustainability.
(c) The extinction can be a result of natural selection. It contributes to the survive of the
fittest.

7. List three aspects of your lifestyle that could be contributing to some of the losses of the
earth’s biodiversity. For each of these, what are some ways to avoid making this
contribution?
 Republic of the Philippines
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur 4418
ISO 9001:2015 www.cbsua.edu.ph
TÜV-R 01 100 1934918

Human behavior is destroying many habitats. By saving energy, saving water, and
avoiding using wild animal products can help to live a more environmentally sustainable
life.

8. Congratulations! You are in charge of the future evolution of life on the earth. What are
the three things that you would consider to be the most important to do?
First thing would be making the environment be sustainable by maintaining the balance
among species. Second thing is to let those creatures to fit to the environment more,
which is a natural process and should happen. Third, along with those adaptations, other
adaptations need to happen so one species is not getting too strong.
Post-competency (Formative Assessment)

Doing Environmental Science

Study an ecosystem of your choice, such as a meadow, a patch of forest, a garden, or

an area of wetland. (If you cannot do this physically, do so virtually by reading about an
ecosystem online or in a library.) Determine and list five major plant species and five major
animal species in your ecosystem. Write hypotheses about (a) which of these species, if any,
are indicator species and (b) which of them, if any, are keystone species. Explain how you
arrived at your hypotheses. Then design an experiment to test each of your hypotheses,
assuming you would have unlimited means to carry them out.

Answer:
A wetland is an ecosystem either covered with water or saturated with water. Examples
of plants living in wetland ecosystems include water lilies lotus, trees (e.g., swamp she-oak),
mosquito fern, eelgrass (Vallisnaria spiralis), etc. Examples of animals living in wetlands
include dragonflies, mosquitoes, alligators, salamanders, snakes, turtles, grouse, plover, etc.
Alligators and freshwater crayfish can be considered keystone species because they are
fundamental and their presence defines wetland ecosystems (without these species, wetlands
would be dramatically impacted). Moreover, turtles can be considered indicator species
because their abundance and distribution in a wetland is an indicator of environmental
conditions. These animals (turtles) carry around different organisms (e.g., algae) that are eaten
by other species (e.g., fish), and thus contribute to the homeostasis of the ecosystem.

Global Environment Watch Exercise

A. Describe the threats to many of the world’s amphibian species and explain why we
should avoid hastening the extinction of any amphibian species through our activities.

Water pollution, UV radiation, and temperature. Such changes have resulted primarily
from human activities such as use of pesticides and other chemicals that become water
pollutants. We should avoid hastening the extinction of any amphibian species because
they are indicators of changes in environmental conditions; they play important roles in
biological communities; they are a genetic storehouse of pharmaceutical products
waiting to be discovered.
B. Search for Amphibians to find out more about the current state of these species with
regard to threats to their existence (Core Case Study). What actions are being taken by
various nations and organizations to protect amphibians? Write a short summary report
on your research.

The biodiversity found in genes, species, ecosystems, and ecosystem processes is

vital to sustaining life on. Functional diversity - the biological and chemical processes
such as energy flow and matter recycling needed for the survival of species,
communities, and ecosystems. Ecological diversity - The variety of terrestrial and
aquatic ecosystems found in an area or on the earth. Species diversity - The number
and abundance of species present in different communities. Genetic diversity - The
variety of genetic material within a species or a population. The earth's biodiversity is a
vital part of the natural capital that helps to keep is alive and supports our economies.
With the help of technology, we use biodiversity to provide us with food, wood, fibers,
energy from wood and biofuels, and medicines. Biodiversity also plays critical roles in
providing us with the ecosystem services that preserve the quality of the air and water,
maintain the fertility of topsoil, of species that we call pests. The four components of
biodiversity also increase the stability of ecosystems and increase the resistance of
ecosystem to harmful invasive species. Insects help pollination, control the populations
of at least half the species of insects owe call pests, play a key role in loosening and
renewing the top soil that supports plant life on land, recycle animal wastes. Biomes:
coastal chaparral and scrub, coniferous forest, desert, coniferous forest, prairie
grassland, deciduous forest. Wilson has studied the complex social behavior of ants
and published a book which was later used to the study and understanding of other
social organisms. He puts together the principles and practical issues of biodiversity
more completely than anyone had to that point in The Diversity of Life.