IMPORTANCE OF

BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity…

provides us with natural resources that we use

for food, water, wood, energy, and medicines
It provides us with ecosystem services such as
air and water purification, soil fertility, and pest
control
It provides aesthetic pleasure.

If biodiversity becomes low these services and

resources will also become low.
Threats to Biodiversity
Habitat destruction due to conversion of natural
areas to industrial and residential uses.
Invasive species competing with native species.
Invasive species are organisms which are introduced
to a habitat which they do not belong to.

Pollution is the contamination of the air, water, or soil

by introducing harmful chemicals. An Increase in
human population overuse of natural resources
What can you do to help protect
and conserve endangered and
economically important
species?
Endangered species are species that are at
risk of being extinct. It means that there are just
a few of that species left living on the planet and
there is a possibility that they could disappear
altogether.

Ex. The giant panda is an endangered species.

There are only about 1500 giant pandas left in the
world today.
In the past, most organisms become extinct because of
natural events, like earthquakes and tsunamis. However,
at present, many organisms are in danger because of
human activities like hunting and deforestation.

Examples
African and Indian elephants are endangered because
most of them are killed for their tusks, which are used
to make pieces of ivory jewelry.

Sea turtles are now in danger of extinction because of

the destruction of their habitat and water pollution.
Climate changes and pollution also lead to the
disappearance of many species.
The diversity of organisms maintains the balance of
ecosystems.

The balanced ecosystem regulate the climate and

provide us food, medicines, building and clothing
materials, clean air, water, and fertile soils.
Therefore, it is important that we help protect and
conserve the species living on Earth to maintain the
natural balance of our ecosystems.
What are different ways of
conserving and protecting
species?
Volunteer or donate on world organizations that
help protect natural habitats of plants and
animals. By protecting the habitats of species,
their communities are kept intact.

Do not introduce non-native or invasive species

to a certain ecosystem. Invasive species
compete with native species for food, water, and
habitat. They can even prey or kill native species
directly. So if you want to plant in a garden or
forest, it is best to choose native plants.
Reduce wastes and recycle materials. By reducing
wastes that pollute water, soil, and air, you help in
preserving natural habitats.
Eliminate use of harmful herbicides and pesticides.
Many of these substances do not degrade but build up
in soils or deposit in water. Many amphibians, such as
frogs, are vulnerable to high levels of these toxic
substances.
When you visit a national park, make sure you obey
the wildlife code. You must follow fire regulations, and
leave rocks, plants and animals where you find them. If
you have some rubbish, place them in the correct trash
bin.
 POPULATION DENSITY
Populations can be of the same size, but they
may have different densities.

When we consider the number of individuals

per unit area, we are referring to the density
of the population.
Differences in population density in any
community may be attributed to many factors
 POPULATION SIZE
Change when new members move
into the ecosystem
Decrease when members move out
of an ecosystem.
The birth rate and death rates can
also affect a population’s size.
 LIMITING FACTORS
Anything that limits the size of a population like
certain environmental conditions are called limiting
factors.
Limiting factors keep a population from increasing in
size and help balance an ecosystem.

Examples are the availability of food, water, and living

conditions. Light, temperature and soil nutrients are
also limiting factors because they help determine the
types of organisms that can live in an ecosystem.
 CARRYING CAPACITY
The maximum population size an
environment can support is called its
carrying capacity.
If the population size rises above the
carrying capacity, organisms die
because they cannot meet all their
needs.
How are limiting factors
related to population
density?
Life depends on life. Animals
can not exist without green
plants. Living things create
niches for other living things.
What happens if the living
conditions of these
organisms are not ideal
for their survival?
 ENDANGERED SPECIES
When a species population becomes so low that
only a few remain, the species is considered
endangered will possibly become extinct.

In the Philippines, some terrestrial species like the

tamaraw in Mindoro, mouse deer in Palawan,
Monkey-eating eagle, and aquatic species like the
dugong found in Negros, Batangas, and Leyte are in
danger of extinction.
 THREATENED SPECIES
Sometimes, there is a particular species that
declines so fast that it becomes endangered and
is said to be threatened.

In a study conducted by field biologists on population size and

distribution of Philippine fauna, they reported that as of 1991, 89
species of birds, 44 species of mammals, and eight species of
reptiles are internationally recognized as threatened. These include
also the Philippine Eagle or Monkey-eating Eagle in the list of
Philippine Endangered Species. (Source: cf. Rabago, L. et.al.
Functional Biology:Modular Approch. 2nd ed)
 EXTINCTION
The disappearance of a species
when the last of its members die.

Changes to habitats can threaten organisms with

extinction. As populations of people increase, the
impact of their growth and development is altering the
face of the Earth and pushing many other species to
the brink of extinction.
 Local and Global
environmental issues
that contributed to
species extinction
 Have you eaten?
Did you turn on an electric light,
ride a tricycle or jeepney, or use
acomputer today?
When you do any of these
activities, you use one or
more natural resources.
 NATURAL RESOURCES
Natural resources are materials in
the environment that people use to
carry on with their lives.

But are you using these natural resources

wisely? Will the time come when these
materials will no longer be available to you?