Biodiversity Task CLASS SECTION: CLASS SCHEDULE:

AAD MWF/ 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Casignia , Jowelyn , R.

Part 1.

THREATS / FACTORS THAT AFFECT BIODIVERSITY

1 Habitat loss and destruction - Habitat loss refers to the disappearance of natural environments that
are home to particular plants and animals while habitat destruction is the process by which natural
habitat is damaged or destroyed to such an extent that it no longer is capable of supporting the
species and ecological communities that naturally occur there and it often results in the extinction
of species and, as a result, the loss of biodiversity. For instance, habitat loss and destruction is the
process by which natural habitat is damaged or destroyed to such an extent that it no longer is
capable of supporting the species and ecological communities that naturally occur there. In short, it
is usually as a direct result of human activity and population growth, and is a major force in the loss
of species, populations, and ecosystems.
2 Alterations in ecosystem composition - Alterations in ecosystem composition, such as the loss or
decline of a species, can lead to a loss of biodiversity. It can occur whenever an action changes the
species composition of an area. Because of the interwoven relationships between structure and
function, the ecological functions will also be affected by changes in composition and structure. For
example, efforts to eliminate coyotes in the canyons of southern California are linked to decreases
in song bird populations in the area. As coyote populations were reduced, the populations of their
prey, primarily raccoons, increased. Since raccoons eat bird eggs, fewer coyotes led to more
raccoons eating more eggs, resulting in fewer song birds.
3 Over-exploitation - The over-exploitation (over-hunting, overfishing, or over-collecting) of a
species or population can lead to the biodiversity’s demise. In other words, over-exploitation
contributes greatly to the loss of biodiversity, killing off numerous species over the past several
hundred years. Poaching and other forms of hunting for profit increase the risk of extinction.
4 Pollution and contamination - Human-generated pollution and contamination can affect all levels
of
biodiversity. Hence, it completely disrupts the Earth's ecosystems. While it may not necessarily
cause extinction, pollutants do have the potential to influence species' habits.
5 Global climate change - Global climate change can alter environmental conditions. Species and
populations may be lost if they are unable to adapt to new conditions or relocate. Also, man made
climate change speeds up the process, without affording ecosystems and species the time to adapt.
Overall, climate is a major factor in the distribution of species across the globe; climate change
forces them to adjust. But many are not able to cope, causing them to die out.

Part 2
1. Eco system - Any geographic area with all of the living organisms present and the nonliving parts of
their physical environment. Involves the movement and storage of energy and matter through living
things and activities. In addition, it is the basic unit of Environmental Science.
2. Biodiversity - The range of variation found among microorganisms, plants, fungi, and animals. Also
the richness of species of living organisms. Biodiversity is a shortened form of Biological diversity, refers
to the existence of a number of different species of plants and animals in an environment. It is also
defined as the existence of variability among living organisms on the earth, including the variability
within and between species, and within and between ecosystems.
3. Habitat - Habitat, place where an organism or a community of organisms lives, including all living
and nonliving factors or conditions of the surrounding environment.
4. Ecological Niche - An ecological niche is the role and position a species has in its environment and
how the environment supports the species’ needs. In their natural alpine habitat, takahē get their food
and shelter from alpine grassland species such as snow tussocks, sedges and rushes.
 5. Community - Populations of organisms of different species that interact with one another.
Community, also called biological community, in biology, an interacting group of various species in a
common location. For example, a forest of trees and undergrowth plants, inhabited by animals and
rooted in soil containing bacteria and fungi, constitutes a biological community.
6. Population - A group of individuals or organisms belonging to one species living in an area as it is a
group of organisms living together in the same place at the same time.
7. Food web - In a particular habitat, organisms are usually involved in more than one food chain. A
food web is formed when many food chains link together as all organisms depend on each other.
8. Food chain - A food chain is a simple diagram that shows how food and nutrients ( energy source)
is passed from one organism to the next. Food chains usually do not have more than four trophic levels.
This is because energy is lost at each trophic level, thus there is less and less energy available for
organisms at the higher trophic levels. Hence, most food chains consist of only four to five trophic levels
as there will be insufficient energy to support an organism at higher trophic levels
9. Extinction - Extinction, in biology, is the dying out or extermination of a species. It occurs when
species are diminished because of environmental forces (natural or human-made) or because of
evolutionary changes in their members.
10. Endangerment - When any species is put at risk of extinction and loss of its critical habitat. Hence,
any species of plant or animal that was threatened with extinction could be called an endangered
species.
Part 3
Impact of Technological Advancement in the Environment

To simply explain the topic, the impact of technology on the environment refers to how it has
affected all life on this planet, including animals and sea life.

Technology negatively affects the environment by compromising human health and safety,
endangering natural ecosystems and biodiversity, having a cumulative impact on global systems, and
depleting natural resources. For example, risks to humans from environmental damage through
technology include inhalation of dangerous chemicals in air pollution, contamination of water and food
sources, and risk of infections and diseases through exposure to toxic wastes. Furthermore, flora and
fauna risk habitat loss or disruption and extinction of species through exposure to dangerous byproducts
of technology while greenhouse gases affect atmosphere and weather systems, causing global warming
and chlorofluorocarbons that deplete the Earth's ozone layer. To shorten these, technology consumes
resources which are not necessarily renewable, including living resources, such as forests and
populations of fish, and inanimate resources, such as natural chemicals and minerals.

On the other side, technology can also positively affect the environment through the application
of environmental science to solve problems caused by human environmental impact. Because with all
these disadvantages and damages about the technological advancement to our environment in many
ways, it also has the capability to limit or prevent the damage using such environmental technologies as
recycling, the exploitation of renewable-energy sources such as solar power and wind power, the
purification of polluted air and water, the treatment of sewage and factory wastes, and the
development and production of devices that promote energy conservation.

To conclude, like everything else in the world, there are pros and cons to technology and its
usage. There are a lot of positive impacts of the progress that we are making but we need to keep in
mind that the use of innovation for the sake of profit maximization and neglecting its impact on our
surroundings will have detrimental effects. In short, the aspects and effects of technology can be good
and bad depending on their effects on nature or the environment.

References:
● Tutorials Point; Simply Easy Learning. (2020). Environmental Studies - Biodiversity - Tutorialspoint. Tutorials Point.
[Link]
● The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2017). Habitat | ecology. Encyclopedia Britannica. [Link]
● Science Learning Hub. (2019, February 7). Ecological niche. [Link]
● The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2007, March 16). community | Definition & Examples. Encyclopedia Britannica.
[Link]
● Biology Notes for IGCSE 2014. (2014, April 5). Retrieved October 14, 2014, from [Link]
[Link]
● Ingham, E. (n.d.). Soil Food Web. Retrieved October 14, 2014, from [Link]
cid=nrcs142p2_053868
● Gittleman, J. L. (2012). extinction | Definition & Examples. Encyclopedia Britannica. [Link]
● Thought Corporation. (2019, December 8). How Habitat Destruction Affects Wildlife. ThoughtCo. [Link]
fragmentation-and-destruction-130129
● Dummies; A Wiley Brand. (2016, March 26). What Defines an Ecosystem? Dummies. [Link]
defines-an-ecosystem/