BIODIVERSITY

AND A HEALTHY
SOCIETY
GROUP 2
MODULE OVERVIEW
• This module focuses on the interconnections among society, environment,
and health. It tackles the value of biodiversity as a source of food,
medicine, and other biological resources in relation to the consumption of
goods. The module specifically covers the relationship of biodiversity
with:
• (a) health and medicine;
• (b) food;
• (c) energy;
• (d) water storage and flood control; and
• (e) air and water treatment.
MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of this Module, you should be able to:

• 1. identify the importance of biodiversity as a source of different

biological resources;
• 2. discuss the adverse effects of resource depletion on society and the
measures to mitigate them; and
• 3. determine the interrelatedness of society, environment and health
BIODIVERSITY
• According to Quinto and Nieva (2018), biodiversity is “the variety of
life present in ecosystem.” It is all the different kinds of life you will
find in one area: the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even
microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. It is
everywhere and each member work together to sustain and support life
and ensure that balance is retained.

• There are three different types of biodiversity: genetic, specific, and

ecological diversity:
Genetic diversity
• Genetic diversity refers to the individual variations among organisms
of the same species, as well as variations between populations that due
to local condition adaptations. These variations among individuals are
passed from one generation to the next.
Species diversity
Species diversity refers to the variety of species within a particular
region, either in an ecosystem or the entire biosphere. This is affected by
the environmental conditions. Usually, this is used as a measure of how
diverse a certain ecosystem is, since species is the basic unit of
biological classification. The U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA)
defines an endangered species as one that is “in danger of extinction
throughout all or a significant portion of its range.” Threatened species
are those that are considered likely to become endangered in the near
future.
Ecological diversity
Ecological diversity refers to the varieties of ecosystems and the
interactions of these species. The variations of topographical and
climactic conditions contribute to ecological diversity.

Society benefits greatly from

biodiversity because it acts as a
source of biological resources
and essential services such as
food, medicine, energy, and more.
Therefore, biodiversity can be exploited and abused. Because of this,
humans should be responsible in ensuring that these are protected.
HEALTH AND MEDICINE

Human health benefits greatly from biodiversity. Many plants are used
to treat illnesses since 2600 BC, as exemplified by herbal medicine use.
Natural products are used today in the synthesis of drugs in the
treatment of diseases. Some of these are as follows:
i. Cupressus sempervirens (cypress) which has been used to treat coughs, colds,
and inflammation.
ii. Commiphora myrrha (myrrh) which has been used to treat coughs, colds, and
inflammation.
iii. Salvia apiana (California sage) which has been used to aid in childbirth and
help protect from respiratory ailments according to Indian tribes of Southern
California.
iv. Alhagi maurorum (camel thorn) used by Israelis, Konkani people, Romans
because of its believed diuretic, diaphoretic, laxative, expectorant, gastroprotective,
antiseptic, and anti-diarrheal effects from its manna, a sweet and gummy substance
from its stems and leaves than contain melezitose and sucrose.
v. Ligusticum scotium (Scottish lovage) which was believed to treat hysterical
and uterine disorders as well as relieve flatulence and stimulate the senses.
vi. Salix (willow tree) where salicylic acid, the active ingredient of the anti-
inflammatory drug aspirin, was derived.

vii. Papaver somniferum (opium poppy) where morphine, a painkiller first used in
the 1800s, was derived.

viii. Pilocarpus (pilocarpine), a drug used for xerostomia or dry mouth, was
isolated and a treatment for Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that
damages the salivary and lacrimal glands, was derived.

ix. Digitalis purpurea (foxglove) where digitoxin, used in the management of

congestive heart failure, was derived.

x. Cinchona succirubra Pav. Ex Klotzsch where quinine, used for the treatment of
malaria, was isolated.
• However, biodiversity loss and environmental hazards pose threats to
human health. Some illnesses are environmentally-linked or related,
such as Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, cancer, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, asthma, diabetes, obesity, occupational injuries,
dysentery, arthritis, malaria, and depression. Hazards such as
pollution, toxic chemicals, food contaminants, dangerous work, poor
housing conditions, urban sprawl, and poverty also increase the risk of
illnesses. The role of organisms in disease transmission are also more
apparent. This highlights the importance of the study of the
relationship among biodiversity, health, and the environment.
 THANK
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