Module 5
Lesson 10: Biodiversity and the Healthy Society
Objectives:
1. Determined the interrelatedness of society, environment, and health
2. Created a diagram that would show the relatedness of species in forming up a
diverse and healthy society without compromising one another
3. Identify everyday tasks and evaluate whether they contribute to the wellness
and health of biodiversity and society or not
ACTIVATE
Anagram: Reassemble the letters to get a new word or phrase.
1. ytisrevidoib
2. yteicos
3. ssol ytisrevidoib
4. meetcossy
5. htaehl
Lesson Proper
Introduction
Decrease in biodiversity is eminent worldwide. Vertebrates fell to 60% from the
1970s due to human causes. It is projected that by 2020, wildlife decline will be 67%
of the present number. The World Wide Fund for Nature and Zoological Society of
London reported an annual decrease in wildlife by 2%. A major cause is human
population which has doubled in number since 1960 to 7.4 billion. Humans have
industrialized the natural habitat of wildlife as well as marine life. Leaving these
creatures with no place to live would eventually cause their deaths. Marco
Lambertini, the General Director of WWF International, described that the
disappearance of wildlife is at an unprecedented rate. Earth might enter the sixth
mass extinction event according to experts. Mass extinction is described as the
disappearance of species at a rate 1,000 faster than usual. Moreover, the
disappearance of species in a certain environment causes an imbalance in the
ecosystem, producing more chaotic changes that harm the entire ecosystem
([Link], 2016).
This is but a pressing statement for people to know more about the importance of
our diverse environment, and how human activities can either contribute to its growth
or destruction. There is a growing importance of studying how society, environment,
and health is interrelated to each other, that if human beings fail to recognize the
needs of one of those components, the other remaining components can be affected
and compromised. Thus, it is timely to know about the pressing effects of species
being extinct and that of our ecosystem being imbalanced.
Biodiversity and Ecosystem
Biodiversity is defined as the vast variety of life forms in the entire Earth. It
encompasses all kinds of life forms, from the single-celled organisms to the largest
multi-celled organisms. Its definition is in the structural and functional perspective
and not as individual species.
Another definition of biodiversity is “the variability among living organisms from all
sources, including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the
ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species,
between species, and of ecosystems. Biodiversity is the source of the essential
goods and ecological services that constitute the source of life for all and it has direct
consumptive value in food, agriculture, medicine, and in industry.” (Villaggio Globale,
2009)
Understanding biodiversity within the concept of ecosystem needs a thorough study
on the relationship of the biotic, the living organisms and the abiotic, nonliving
organisms. Interdisciplinary approach is needed to study the ecosystem. Biodiversity
plays a major role in this natural dynamics. For example, a large number of golden
snails in a certain area of a rice field can help predict a low production of rice
harvest, since eggs of the golden snails are considered pest for rice plant. On a
positive view, the larger number of different species in a certain area can be a
predictor of sustainable life in that area, sustainability of the ecosystem ensures a
better survival rate against any natural disaster. Therefore, we, as human inhabitants
of the ecosystem, must preserve and conserve the biodiversity of all creatures.
In simpler terms, it is true that people will always depend on biodiversity on the
wholeness of our being and in our everyday lives. More so, our health will ultimately
depend upon the products and services that we acquire from the ecosystem.
Somehow, there are ways and processes in the ecosystem that are not apparent nor
appreciated by us, human beings. Think about the need to drink clean and fresh
water, the need to eat healthy vegetables and food, or the need of man to transport
which makes him rely on fuel. All of these are human needs that are answered and
provided by our ecosystem. Thus, if we fail to keep the process of taking care of the
ecosystem, it is us who are actually putting our lives at risk. Significant decline in
biodiversity has direct human impact when ecosystem in its insufficiency can no
longer provide the physical as well as social needs of human beings. Indirectly,
changes in the ecosystem affect livelihood, income, and on occasion, may even
cause political conflict (WHO, n.d.).
Changes in Biodiversity
Alteration in any system could bring varied effects. A change in biodiversity could
have erratic effects not only in wildlife or marine life but also in human beings. For
example, humans inhabiting the forest would disturb the natural order of life. Trees
and plants would be affected in the land- clearing operations where the houses
would be built. The animals, insects, and all types of life forms in the cleared area
would either be displaced or most likely be killed. The loss of these life forms could
affect the entire ecosystem governing that environment. The food chain might be
damaged. From this, we can clearly infer that when our ecosystem is not well taken
care of, biodiversity encounters changes that may impact human health on such
different levels.
Threats to Biodiversity
There are major threats to biodiversity that were identified by the United Nations’
Environment Programme (WHO, n.d.). These are the following:
1. Habitat loss and destruction
Major contributing factor is the inhabitation of human beings and the use of
land for economic gains.
2. Alterations in ecosystem composition
Alterations and sudden changes, either within species groups or within the
environment, could begin to change entire ecosystems. Alterations in
ecosystems are a critical factor contributing to species and habitat loss.
3. Over-exploitation
Over-hunting, overfishing or over-collecting of species can quickly lead to its
decline. Changing consumption patterns of humans is often cited as the key
reason for this unsustainable exploitation of natural resources.
4. Pollution and contamination
Biological systems respond slowly to changes in their surrounding
environment. Pollution and contamination cause irreversible damage to
species and varieties.
5. Global climate change
Both climate variability and climate change cause biodiversity loss. Species
and populations may be lost permanently if they are not provided with enough
time to adapt to changing climatic conditions.
Consequences of Biodiversity Loss
Even with the improvement of technology and science at present, we still have a lot
to learn about biodiversity, more so about the consequences of biodiversity loss.
However, the basic concept about biodiversity loss was from Charles Darwin and
Alfred Russel Wallace.
Intact ecosystems function best since the organisms composing them are
specialized to function in that ecosystem to capture, transfer, utilize and, ultimately,
lose both energy and nutrients. The particular species making up an ecosystem
determine its productivity, affect nutrient cycles and soil contents, and influence
environmental conditions such as water cycles, weather patterns, climate, and other
non-biotic aspects. The loss of biodiversity has many consequences that we
understand, and many that we do not. It is apparent that humankind is willing to
sustain a great deal of biodiversity loss if there are concomitant benefits to society;
we hope they are net benefits. In many cases, the benefits seem to accrue to a few
individuals only, with net societal loss. However, it is extremely difficult to estimate
the future costs of losses in biodiversity or of environmental damage (Rainforest
Conservation Fund, 2017).
As stated by Tilman, “The Earth will retain its most striking feature, its biodiversity,
only if humans have the prescience to do so. This will occur, it seems, only if we
realize the extent to which we use biodiversity (Rainforest Conservation Fund,
2017).”
Nutritional Impact of Biodiversity
According to the World Health Organization, biodiversity is a vital element of a
human being’s nutrition because of its influence to food production. Biodiversity is a
major factor that contributes to sustainable food production for human beings. A
society or a population must have access to a sufficient variety of nutritious food as it
is a determinant of their health as human beings.
Nutrition and biodiversity are linked at many levels: the ecosystem, with food
production as an ecosystem service; the species in the ecosystem; and the genetic
diversity within species. Nutritional composition between foods and among
varieties/cultivators/breeds of the same food can differ dramatically, affecting
micronutrient availability in the diet. Healthy local diets, with adequate average levels
of nutrients intake, necessitates maintenance of high biodiversity levels. Intensified
and enhanced food production through irrigation, use of fertilizer, plant protection
(pesticides), or the introduction of crop varieties and cropping patterns affect
biodiversity and thus impact global nutritional status and human health. Habitat
simplification, species loss, and species succession often enhance communities,
vulnerabilities as a function of environmental receptivity to ill health (WHO, 2007).
Health, Biology, and Biodiversity
Almost all living organisms are dependent to their environment to live and reproduce.
Basic needs of living organisms such as air, water, food, and habitat are provided by
its environment. The evolution of human beings was due to the improved access to
these basic needs. Advances in agriculture, sanitation, water treatment, and hygiene
have had a far greater impact on health than medical technology.
Although the environment sustains human life, it can also cause diseases. Lack of
basic necessities is a significant cause of human mortality. Environmental hazards
increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, asthma, and many other illnesses. These
hazards can be physical, such as pollution, toxic chemicals, and food contaminants,
or they can be social, such as dangerous work, poor housing conditions, urban
sprawl, and poverty. Unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation and hygiene are
responsible for a variety of infectious diseases, such as schistosomiasis, diarrhea,
cholera, meningitis, and gastritis. In 2015, approximately 350,000 children under the
age of five (mostly in the developing world) died from diarrheal diseases related to
unsafe drinking water, and approximately 1.8 billion people used drinking water
contaminated with feces. More than two billion people lacked access to basic
sanitation.
The interrelation between human health and biological diversity is considerable and
complex. With the current biodiversity loss at unprecedented rates, the delicate
balance between human health and biological diversity is at risk.
Environment-Related Illnesses
Some human illnesses that are found to be related with its environment include
Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
asthma, diabetes, obesity, occupational injuries, dysentery, arthritis, malaria, and
depression.
By contrast, activities that promote health and extend human life could have adverse
environmental effects. For example, food production causes environmental damage
from pesticides and fertilizers, soil salinization, waster produced by livestock, carbon
emissions from food manufacturing and transportation, deforestation, and
overfishing. Health care facilities also have adverse environmental impacts.
Hospitals use large quantities of electricity and fossil fuels and produce medical
wastes. To prevent some diseases, it may be necessary to alter the environment.
For example, malaria was eradicated in the United States and other developed
nations in the 1940s and 50s as a result of draining wetlands and spraying DDT to
kill mosquitoes. A reduction in mortality from starvation or disease can lead to
overpopulation, which stresses the environment in many different ways – increasing
use of fossil fuels, clearing of land, generating pollution and waster, and so on
(Rensik & Portier, 2017).
Interestingly, according to experts, climate change could also have a serious impact
on human health and could deteriorate farming systems and reduce nutrients in
some foods. In this case, biodiversity increases resilience, thus helping adjust to new
environmental conditions. Safeguarding of coral reefs, for instance, is essential to
reduce the risk of floods, as this extraordinary ecosystem can reduce wave energy
by 97%, thus protecting over 100 million people all over the world.
Relationships between human health and the environment raise many ethical, social,
and legal dilemmas by forcing people to choose among competing values. Many of
the issues at the intersection of health and the environment have to do with
managing benefits and risks. For example, pesticides play an important role in
increasing crop yields, but they can also pose hazards to human health and the
environment. Alternatives to pesticide use create trade-offs in health. The extreme
action of stopping all pesticide uses could significantly reduce agricultural
productivity, leading to food shortages and increases food prices which would, in
turn, increase starvation in some parts of the world. Public health authorities have
opted to regulate the use of pesticides to enhance food production while minimizing
damage to the environment and human health. Energy production and use help
sustain human life, but it can also pose hazards to human health and the
environment, such as air and water pollution, oil spills, and destruction of habitats
(Rensik & Portier), 2017).
No issue demands greater care in balancing benefits and risks than global warming.
A significant percentage of global climate change is due to the human production of
greenhouse gases. Climate change is likely to cause tremendous harm to the
environment and human health, but taking steps to drastically reduce greenhouse
gases could have adverse consequences for global, national, and local economies.
For example, greatly increasing taxes on fossil fuels would encourage greater fuel
efficiency and lower carbon dioxide emissions, but it would also increase the price of
transportation, which would lead to widespread inflation and reduced consumer
spending power. Managing benefits and risks also raises social justice concerns. In
general, people with lower socio-economic status have greater exposure to certain
harmful environmental conditions in their homes or at work, such as lead, mercury,
pesticides, toxic chemicals, or air and water pollution. Communities and nations
should wisely choose a site for a factory, a power plant, or waste dump, or regulating
safety in the workplace to minimize impact to the society. The decision-making
process should be fair, open, and democratic, so that people who will be affected by
environmental risks have a voice in these deliberations and can make their concerns
known (Rensik & Portier, 2017).
When drafting and implementing environmental health regulations, it is important to
consider vulnerable subpopulations. A vulnerable subpopulation is a group with an
increased susceptibility to the adverse effects of an environmental risk factor, due to
their age, genetics, health status, or some other condition. If an environmental
regulation is designed to protect average members of the population, it may fail to
adequately protect vulnerable subpopulations. Justice demands that we take care of
people who are vulnerable. However, almost everyone in the population has an
above-average susceptibility to at least one environmental risk factor. Since
providing additional protection to everyone would be costly and impractical,
protections must be meted out carefully and the populations who are vulnerable to a
particular environmental risk factor must be defined clearly (Rensik & Portier, 2017).
In addition to this, various public health strategies pit the rights of individuals against
the good of society, such as mandatory treatment, vaccination, or diagnostic testing;
isolation and quarantine; and disease surveillance. The owner of a coal-burning
power plant must deal with many laws concerning the operation of the plant,
workplace safety, and carbon emissions. A developer who plans to build 150 new
homes with land he has purchased may also have to deal with laws concerning
storm drainage, water and sewage lines, gas lines, sidewalks, and so on.
Restrictions on property rights are justified to protect human health and the
environment. However, opponents of these restrictions argue that they are often
excessive or not adequately supported by scientific evidence (Rensik & Portier,
2017).
Human rights issues also come up with research on environmental health that
involves human subjects. For such research to be ethical, human subjects must give
consent, and great care must be taken to ensure that they understand that can opt
out of the research project. Since the late 1990s, some pesticide companies have
tested their products on human subjects to gather data to submit to the government
for regulatory purposes. Some commentators charge that these experiments are
unethical because they place people at unacceptably high risk without a clear benefit
to society. Others have argued that the experiments, if properly designed and
implemented, could produce important benefits to society by providing useful
knowledge about the effects of pesticides that lead to stronger regulations (Rensik &
Portier, 2017).
With these in mind, a mitigating plan and a workable plan of action should be studied
in order to not compromise biodiversity, while at the same time, promote good health
among the society.
APPLICATION
What are small ways that you think would promote safekeeping our
biodiversity? What do you think are the common human activities that can
harm biodiversity? What would be the consequences if these human activities
might be stopped and prohibited?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
APPLICATION
Identify what/who is described in the following statements:
__________1. Described as the disappearance of species at rate of 1,000 faster
than usual.
__________2. The variability among living organisms from all sources, including
terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological
complexes of which they are part.
__________3. Over-hunting, overfishing, or over-collecting of species can quickly
lead to its decline.
__________4. A vital element of a human being’s nutrition because of its influence
to food production.
__________5. The hazard that increases the risk of cancer, heart disease, asthma,
and many other illnesses.
__________6. What uses large quantities of electricity and fossil fuels and produce
medical wastes?
__________7. A group with an increased susceptibility to the adverse effects of an
environmental risk factor.
__________8. Who must preserve and conserve the biodiversity of all creatures?
__________9. Using and producing this helps sustain human life, but can also pose
hazards to human health and the environment.
__________10. Who said “The Earth will retain its most striking feature, its
biodiversity, only if humans have the prescience to do so. This will
occur, it seems, inly if we realize the extent to which we use
biodiversity”?
REFLECTION
Do you think that Earth can exist without human beings taking care of it? Or
biodiversity also needs human beings for it to be in a continuous growing
process?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
