Biodiversity and the Healthy Society

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is short for biological diversity or the variety of living organisms within species,
between species and within ecosystems on earth. Species is a set of animals or plants in which the
members have similar characteristics to each other and can breed with each other (Cambridge
Dictionary, n.d.). Biodiversity is a feature of small and large ecosystems. Our planetary ecosystem is
possibly home to more than 10 million species but only more than 1 million have been identified so far.

How is Biodiversity Described?

Biodiversity is determined by (1) species richness, which is measured by the number of species
in a given area (World Resources Institute, 2005) and (2) evenness, which is the proportions of species
on the site (Launchbaugh, n.d.).

Why is Biodiversity Measured

Biodiversity is measured because it is related to the health of an environment. It is a general

idea that greater diversity means better survival of the species because a more diverse community is
more stable, productive, and resilient (Launchbaugh). In short, the measurement of biodiversity is
important because it determines the overall survival of lifeforms, including human beings.

Why we value biodiversity

We value biodiversity for utilitarian and intrinsic reasons (American Museum of Natural History,
n.d.). The utilitarian reason being that it sustains the survival of species. Apart from what we can get
from it, biodiversity should be valued for itself or for its inherent worth (intrinsic) as part of the created
world.

Role in Ecosystem Functions

The utilitarian value of biodiversity is emphasized in the role it plays in ecosystem functions
(Convention on Biological Diversity & Environment and Ecology, 2020). These functions provide the
following ecosystem services:
 Valuing Ecosystems Services

If we put monetary value to ecosystems services, we will realize Filipinos are enjoying these for
free:

Threats to Biodiversity

Nature has provided living beings, particularly humans, free provision for all our needs both
material and non-material. But studies show that human practices are destroying biodiversity all over
the world. Here are some practices that result to the death of some of our fellow living things.

• pollution

• unsustainable resource use

• habitat destruction

Pollution has many direct and indirect effects to life forms. It destroys habitat, produces harmful
substances that reduce fertility, poison, or cause diseases. Fish kill in a river is an example (American
Museum of Natural History).

Unsustainable resource use refers to practices of consuming or gathering species often in large
amount without control and without replenishment. An example is extraction of trees from forests
without replanting.

The introduction of invasive species to some ecosystems and the displacement of animals or
plants from their natural habitat due to disturbance results to the loss of biodiversity. Global trade
contributes to loss of biodiversity by promoting the movement of non-endemic species to other places.

These practices stem from human consumption and development such as converting forests
into farmlands and industrial zones.

Some endangered species in the Philippines include the Critically Endangered Negros bleeding
heart (Gallicolumba keayi), Endangered Visayan spotted deer (Rusa alfredi), and The Negros naked-
backed fruit bat (Dobsonia chapmani), which was thought to be extinct in the Philippines (Critical
Ecosystem Partnership Fund, n.d.).
 The Philippine government has recognized the importance of biodiversity conservation and
protection. It has put in place regulations on the use of its biological resources. Some of these are
among the first in the world. For instance, the Executive Order No. 247, the Law Prescribing Guidelines
and Establishing a Regulatory Framework for the Prospecting of Biological and Genetic Purposes and for
other Purposes, which regulates access and benefit sharing surrounding the collection, use and
development of genetic resources. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources is the
primary government agency in charge of managing the country’s natural assets. (Ani & Castillo, 2020)

Biodiversity and the Healthy Society

 Biodiversity refers to the abundance of living organisms within species, between species and
within ecosystems. It is measured as species richness and evenness. An area with a good biodiversity has
both species richness and evenness.

A biodiverse community is stable, productive and resilient. Thus, the level of biodiversity is
linked to the capacity of an ecosystem to survive.