Lesson 10 Biodiversity and the Healthy Society

LESSON 10
BIODIVERSITY
AND THE
HEALTHY
SOCIETY
Biodiversity and the Healthy Society
Some Terms Related to Biodiversity
Species refers to a group of organism, which have
common genetic, ecological and evolutionary
characteristics, that can interbreed and produce
viable and fertile offspring.
Population, in biology, is defined as all the
organisms of the same group or species
that live in a specific area and are capable
of breeding among themselves.
A community is a diverse group of

organisms that interact in a
common location.
Ecosystem refers to the interaction of
biological communities with another
and with the physical environment.
Endemic species refer to species that are native or
restricted in a particular area. For instance, the
Philippine Eagle, the Philippine tarsier and Rafflesia
speciosa are endemic species of the Philippines.
Biodiversity Hotspot are regions or areas in the world
with rich biodiversity but are currently facing threats
of depletion and loss. Examples of biodiversity hotspot
are the whole of Madagascar and the Philippine
Archipelago.
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms on
Earth. It ranges from the smallest microorganism,
the mycoplasmas, up to the largest animals, the
blue whales. Biodiversity is the short term for
‘biological diversity’.
There are three levels of biodiversity.
• Genetic diversity - it refers to the variations
in the different genes present in individual
organism.
How is Genetic Diversity Generated?
• Mutation – changes to an individual’s DNA
• Arises when mistakes are made while cells are
copying DNA
• Make up a species’ genetic diversity
• Most mutations are either harmful or have no
impact but sometimes can cause changes that
are helpful for a species
Examples of Genetic Diversity
• Among humans, there
are differences in terms of
genetic sequences.
Examples of Genetic Diversity
• Different breeds of dogs as a result of selective
breeding
• Species diversity is defined as the number of
different species present in an ecosystem and
relative abundance of each of those species.
Species diversity
In Galapagos Islands, there are
different species of finches. This
shows the species diversity of
finches in the islands
Variety of mushroom species found in

a particular forest. There are a
number of species in the area.
Ecosystem diversity refers to all ecosystems,
ecological processes and biological
communities.
Types of Ecosystem
FOREST
It is a functional unit or a
system which comprises of soil,
trees, insects, animals, birds,
and man as its interacting units.
Types of Ecosystem
GRASSLAND
If there isn’t enough rain to grow
trees, grasslands can grow in
both tropical and temperate
climates.
It is known as the “true kingdom”
of animals.
Types of Ecosystem
TUNDRA
characterized by harsh
environmental conditions usually
windswept, snow-covered and
treeless
Types of Ecosystem
DESERT
Deserts are barren areas of land
characterized by extremely high or
low temperatures, with low rainfall
and scarce or no vegetation
Types of Ecosystem
MARINE
Marine ecosystems are aquatic
environments with high levels of
dissolved salt.
Types of Ecosystem
FRESHWATER
Freshwater ecosystems occur in
in-land bodies of water and may
either be flowing, standing, or
man-made. Distinguished by low-
salinity water that flow from the
natural rainwater catch basins
created by forests.
Patterns of Biodiversity
According to the Global Biodiversity Outlook 1
(2001), there are around 14 million species in the
world with nearly 2 million species discovered and
described.
Golden Toad Asian Palm Civet

Patterns of Biodiversity
Philippines has at least 53,000 species
discovered and described. It is one of
the mega-diverse countries.
Philippines has high endemism with at
least 49% of its terrestrial wildlife
being endemic to the country.
However, it is also one of the world’s
biodiversity hotspot with more than
900 threatened species.
Class Discussion
Question:
Why is biodiversity important?
How is it relevant to us as individuals, to
our community, or to our country?
Importance of Biodiversity
Provisioning services:
a. Food source – fruits of trees
b. Herbal medicines – leaves, roots or flowers of plants
c. Forest products – trunk of trees or vines
Regulating and Supporting
service:
a. Mangrove forests – regulate the
impact of waves
b. Corals Reefs – provide habitat for
fishes in the seas
Cultural services:
a. Orchids – used for decoration
b. Whale shark – for ecotourism
c. Citrus thorns – used in tattooing process
Class Discussion
Question:
How is biodiversity related to a healthy
society?
What is its impact to human health?
CLEAN AIR, CLEAN WATER
PHYSICAL
ENVIRONMENT
FOOD, MEDICINE
CULTURAL SERVICES
BIODIVERSITY
OTHER ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
Biodiversity Loss
Biodiversity loss
refers to the depletion
or reduction of
biological diversity
due to extinction of
species.
Biodiversity Loss
Biodiversity loss will result
to the death of ecosystems
worldwide, resulting to
ending and changing of
ecosystem services most of
these losses happen in
biodiversity hotspots.
It is predicted that half of the world species will be
extinct by 2050.
Biodiversity Loss
The International Union for the Conservation of
Nature or IUCN categorize species based on their
conservation status.
The world’s most comprehensive information source on
the global conservation status of animal, fungi and
plant species.
Biodiversity Loss
The IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria are
intended to be an easily and widely understood
system for classifying species at high risk of global
extinction. It divides species into nine categories: Not
Evaluated, Data Deficient, Least Concern, Near
Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically
Endangered, Extinct in the Wild and Extinct.
Biodiversity Loss
Not Evaluated (NE) – species that
has not yet been assessed under the
IUCN criteria. Currently, this applies
to most of the world’s described
species. We don’t know whether these
species are at a high or a low risk of
extinction, or if they are already
extinct.
Biodiversity Loss
Data Deficient – species that

lack adequate information on their
abundance, diversity or
distribution, hence, there is no
assessment of rick for extinction.
Biodiversity Loss
Examples of species that
are under ‘Data Deficient’
category are Vicente’s
poison frog of Panama and
the cherry plum
Biodiversity Loss
Least Concern – species

that have been evaluated and
were not considered to be
threatened.
Biodiversity Loss
Examples of species that are under
‘Least Concern’ category are the sea
snails, Conus barbieri, and Conus
textile and giant reed (Arundo donax).
They are native to the Philippines.
Biodiversity Loss
Near Threatened – species that

are evaluated but do not qualify as
vulnerable, endangered, and
critically endangered.
Biodiversity Loss
Examples of these species that are near
threatened are the bull shark and
smooth cauliflower coral.
Biodiversity Loss
Vulnerable – species that are

likely to be endangered in the
near future. They were able to
meet the five criteria set by
IUCN.
Biodiversity Loss
Examples of these are the molave tree,
Philippine eagle-owl and dugong. The molave
tree and dugong are both native to the Philippines
while the Philippine eagle-owl is endemic in the
country.
Biodiversity Loss
Endangered – species that are

likely to become extinct. They
meet the five criteria set by IUCN
for the category.
Biodiversity Loss
Examples of Endangered species are the
Calamian deer, Visayas hornbill, and the rare
orchid, short haired paphiopedilum. All of them
are endemic to the Philippines.
Biodiversity Loss
Critically Endangered –
species that face high risk of
extinction. They meet the five
criteria set by the IUCN.
Biodiversity Loss
Examples of these are the Philippine eagle, the
Philippine crocodile, and the tamaraw. All of
them are endemic to the Philippines.
Biodiversity Loss
Extinct in the Wild – species

that are only present in captivity,
in cultivation or in naturalized
populations.
Biodiversity Loss
Examples of these are the Alagoas
Curassow in Brazil, Hawaiian Crow, and
Pere David Dear of China.
Biodiversity Loss
Extinct – species that are

already gone; the last
individuals have died.
Declaring an Species Extinct
“The process we use to declare an
animal extinct, isn’t in exact science ”
- Forrest Galante
Declaring an Species Extinct
• In the 1980s, it was suggested that an extinction
should be declared if a species was not observed for
50 years.
• International Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN): “A taxon is Extinct when there is no
reasonable doubt that the last individual has
died.”
Rediscovered Species
• The Coelacanth believed to have been extinct
for 70 million years. rediscovered by Marjorie
Courtenay-Latimer on 22 December 1938.
• Fernandina Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis

phantasticus), last reported 112 years ago
and long considered lost forever until its
rediscovery in 2019.
Biodiversity Loss
Examples of these are the golden toad of
Costa Rica, The Japanese sea lion, and
the great auk.
Threats to Biodiversity
H Habitat Alteration/Destruction
I Invasive Species
P Pollution
P Population Growth
O Overharvesting/ Overexploitation
1. Habitat alteration and destruction
The destruction of habitats like coral reefs and forest lead
to biodiversity loss. For instance, one of the causes of the
decline in Philippine Eagle population in various parts of
the country is deforestation. Philippine eagles are highly
territorial, hence, they require the wide are of forests.
1. Habitat alteration and destruction
Another example is the case of sea cows or dugongs.
Dugongs live in sea grass beds. However, sea grass
beds are facing threat of destruction and alteration due
to coastal development and industrial activities.
2. Invasive species
When non-native species which are well-accustomed
in another ecosystem are introduced through natural
and artificial means in another ecosystem, they are
called exotic species.
2. Invasive species
When exotic species became harmful and dangerous
to the new ecosystems, they become invasive species.
Examples of invasive species in the Philippines are the
coral-eating seastar, and the golden apple snail.
3. Pollution
Many species are dying because of pollution from
industrial and household sources. Oil spills cause
losses in biodiversity. Air pollution affects birds, winged
insects and other species.
3. Pollution
Lichens are organisms usually found in trees and rocks.
They are vulnerable to air pollution, causing abnormality
or death. Whales and other marine organisms are also
dying because of plastic pollution of the seas.
4. Population Growth
According to the United Nations, the
current global population is
approximately 7.6 billion people, and
is predicted to reach 9.8 billion by
2050. As the global human population
increases, without new ways and
behaviors, other threats to biodiversity
such as habitat loss, pollution, and
overexploitation will intensify.
5. Over-exploitation
The unstable consumption or
exploitation of biodiversity lead to
the endangerment of many species. For
example, illegal and too much logging
caused the decline of hardwood species
such as the Philippine dipterocarps. In
Taal Lake, the overfishing of the local
sardines called tawillis led to its
decline and endangerment.
Other Threats to Biodiversity
6. Global Warming and Climate Change
Global warming and climate change affected many
species. For example, polar bears are starving because
of global warming. Their habitats are also melting away.
7. Illegal Poaching and Wildlife Trade
Many species are being poached illegally and sold to
illegal wildlife traders. For instance, elephants tusks and
rhinoceros horns are being collected are being collected
illegally causing the decile of the two species populations.
8. Diseases
Many species are dying because of diseases brought by
changing, and other adverse conditions brought about
by human activities.
8. Diseases
One example is the case of amphibians. Worldwide
many amphibians are under threat because of a fungal
disease. The golden toad went extinct because of the
disease. Other frogs such as the Toad Mountain
Harlequin frog are currently endangered because of it.
-end-

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LESSON 10

A community is a diverse group of

Variety of mushroom species found in

Golden Toad Asian Palm Civet

Data Deficient – species that

Least Concern – species

Near Threatened – species that

Vulnerable – species that are

Endangered – species that are

Extinct in the Wild – species

Extinct – species that are

• Fernandina Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis

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