GAPAN CITY COLLEGE
City Hall Compound, Bayanihan, Gapan City,
Nueva Ecija, Philippines 3105
General Education Department
Week 9 Module in
SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
Name: ______________________________________ Score: ___________/
Course, Year & Sec.: ___________________________ Date: ____________
Lesson 9:
Biodiversity and the Healthy Society
I. OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:
a. Define biodiversity;
b. Explain the importance of biodiversity;
c. Explain and give examples of the components of biodiversity;
d. Enumerate some activities which threaten biodiversity; and
e. Assess the status of Philippine biodiversity.
II. CONCEPT NOTES
To learn more about communication, read and write the following concepts in your Batang Gapan
Notebook.
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity or biological
diversity refers to the
vastness of multitude of
living organisms
and how they interact with
each other and their
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environment. Biodiversity is
essential to
human survival.
Ecosystem – a biological
community in which
organisms interact with their
environment
Biodiversity refers to the
variety of life in a
community. Life can be
animals, plants, fungi
or microorganisms. Diversity
is species of these life in one
place. Biodiversity is very
important for us, human. We
depend on our environment
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for food, medicine, shelter &
other things for our existing.
Keystone species have large
effect on the environment. It
organisms that keep hold
the
system together. It affects
several organisms in the
ecosystem. In the absence
of
keystone species, the
ecosystem will be entirely
different or may even cease
to exist.
They play a big role in
maintaining the structure of
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the ecosystem.
Invasive species are those
that are newly introduced to
an environment and harm
the
native species. They cause
ecological imbalance and
damage to the environment.
These aliens may be plants,
fungi and microbes. It is also
known as exotic or nuisance
species are those that are
introduced to a new
environment that cause
harm.
What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity or biological diversity refers to the vastness of multitude of living organisms and how they
interact with each other and their environment. Biodiversity is essential to human survival.
Ecosystem
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a biological community in which organisms interact with their environment Biodiversity refers to the variety of
life in a community. Life can be animals, plants, fungi or microorganisms. Diversity is species of these life in
one place. Biodiversity is very important for us, human. We depend on our environment for food, medicine,
shelter & other things for our existing.
Keystone species have large effect on the environment. It organisms that keep hold the system
together. It affects several organisms in the ecosystem. In the absence of keystone species, the
ecosystem will be entirely different or may even cease to exist. They play a big role in maintaining
the structure of the ecosystem.
Invasive species are those that are newly introduced to an environment and harm the native
species. They cause ecological imbalance and damage to the environment. These aliens may be
plants, fungi and microbes. It is also known as exotic or nuisance species are those that are
introduced to a new environment that cause harm.
Symbiosis
the biological interactions between two different biological organisms. Symbiosis is vital for existence. Each
species has their role for other species.
Mutualism - both species benefit. For example, bees and flowers, where the former get nectar from
the latter. At the same time, flowers are pollinated.
Commensalism - one species benefits without harming the other species. Take for example, frogs
stay under the lotus leaf for their protection.
Parasitism - one species benefits and the other is harmed. An example of this is lice on the hair of
human
Benefits of Biodiversity
• Biodiversity provides us with food, shelter, medicines, and clothing.
• 80% of our food supply comes from 20 kinds of plants.
• About 80,000 edible wild plant species could be utilized by humans.
• Humans use at least 40,000 species of plants and animals a day.
• More than 50% of all prescriptions contain natural products.
Components of Biodiversity
Three Components / Types
of Biodiversity by Braun and
Amman. are:
• Genetic Diversity or
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diversity of genes
• Species diversity or
Diversity of number of
species
• Community diversity or
Ecological diversity or
Variety of ecosystem
Components of Biodiversity
Three Components / Types of Biodiversity are:
• Genetic Diversity or diversity of genes.
• Species diversity or Diversity of number of species.
• Community diversity or Ecological diversity or Variety of ecosystem.
Variety of living things;
variety of life in an
ecosystem
• Ecological diversity –
different habitats, niches,
species interactions.
• Species diversity –
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different kinds of organisms,
relationships, among
species.
• Genetic diversity –
different genes &
combinations of genes
within populations
Variety of living things; variety of life in an ecosystem
• Ecological diversity – different habitats, niches, species interactions.
• Species diversity – different kinds of organisms, relationships, among species.
• Genetic diversity – different genes & combinations of genes within populations.
Genetic diversity
Refers to variation of differences in the genes of a species. Genes are segments of DNA which dictate the
traits or characteristics of an organism. The assorted color of kernels in different varieties of corn are a result
of genetic diversity. Species diversity refers to the variety of species per unit area. This includes both the
number of species present and their relative abundance.
Community diversity or Ecological diversity
Diversity at the level of community and ecosystem exists along 3 levels. It could be within community
diversity (alpha diversity), between-communities diversity (beta diversity), or diversity of the habitats over the
total landscape or geographical area (gamma diversity).
Types of Biodiversity
• Ecosystem diversity – refers to the variety of habitats, communities, and ecological processes in the
biosphere. Importance of Biodiversity.
• Source of foods, clothing, shelter and medicines.
• Source of raw materials for industrial activities.
• Provides variation around us so life might not be boring.
• Maintaining a balance nature.
• Source of food.
• Source of medicine.
• Clean air.
• Shelter.
• Economic resources (eco-tourism)
• Clean drinking water.
• Preserve all living organisms from becoming extinct.
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Status of Philippine Biodiversity
• The Philippines has very rich and diverse flora and fauna.
• Considered as biodiversity hotspot.
• Biodiversity of the Philippines attracts tourists and scientists to come over and examine its natural
resources.
• The Philippines hosts 52, 177 described species which is more than half is found nowhere in the world
(Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Priorities).
• Philippines is considered a hotspot because it continues to experience an alarming rate of destruction
brought about by exploitation of natural resources, overpopulation and lack of government concerns.
Flora
the plant life occurring in particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous – native
plant life. A treatise on or list of the plants of an area or period.
Fauna
defined as the animal’s characteristic of a particular time period or a particular location. It refers to the
animals.
Threats to Biodiversity
• Habitat destruction Abuse, conversion and degradation of ecosystem lead to the loss of habitat for many
species.
• Pollution • Introduction on Non-Native species and new varieties.
• Global climate change.
• Exploitation
• Overpopulation
Loss of biodiversity results from anthropogenic activities such as urbanization, construction, agricultural land
development, logging, river damming, and use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Cause of loss of
biodiversity.
• Loss of the habitats
• Introduction of invasive alien species.
• Pollution
• Climate change
• Human overpopulation
• Overexploitation of resources
HIPPO EFFECT
H = Habitat destruction
I = Invasion
P = Pollution
P = Population growth
O = Over harvesting
Pollution causing biodiversity loss – Fish kills due to red tide / Heavy metals in water.
• Iceberg meltdown in polar regions leading to sea level rise.
• Increase in amount of rainfalls.
• Too hot summers and too cold winters.
• Frequent grass and forest fires.
• Changes in sea temperature
The role of evolution in biodiversity
• Evolution – A change in a genetic composition of a population over time.
• Microevolution – Evolution below the species level. Changes in the gene pool of a population over time.
• Macroevolution – Evolution on the grand scale gives rise to new species or new genera, family, class or
phyla. Preservation of Biodiversity
• Changing human behavior
• Establishment of wildlife and ecosystem preserves
• Habitat restoration
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III. ACTIVITIES
Activity 1. As a student how can you help the biodiversity of the Philippines and contribute to a healthy
society? Write your answer in a paragraph below. (10 points)
Activity 2. The hippo effect (Habitat destruction, Invasion, Pollution, Population, Growth, Over harvesting) is
one of the leading factors in the decline of the biodiversity around the world. Detail how a student can help
mitigate the effect of each of the following. (20 points)
H- Habitat destruction
I-Invasion
P-Pollution
P-Population Growth
O-Over Harvesting
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Activity 3. Give at least 3 ways we can protect the habitats shown in the pictures bellow. (30 points)
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REFERENCES
Ambal, R. G. R., Duya, M. V., Cruz, M. A., Coroza, O. G., Vergara, S. G., de Silva, N. A. A. M. A. L., ... &
Tabaranza, B. (2012). Key biodiversity areas in the Philippines: priorities for conservation. Journal of
Threatened Taxa, 2788-2796.
Gaston, K. J., & Spicer, J. I. (2013). Biodiversity: an introduction. John Wiley & Sons.
Heong, K. L., Aquino, G. B., & Barrion, A. T. (1992). Population dynamics of plant-and leafhoppers and their
natural enemies in rice ecosystems in the Philippines. Crop protection, 11(4), 371-379.
Mittermeier, R. A., Mittermeier, C. G., Brooks, T. M., Pilgrim, J. D., Konstant, W. R., Da Fonseca, G. A., &
Kormos, C. (2003). Wilderness and biodiversity conservation. Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences, 100(18), 10309-10313.
Pimm, S. L., Russell, G. J., Gittleman, J. L., & Brooks, T. M. (1995). The future of
biodiversity. Science, 269(5222), 347 350.
Posa, M. R. C., Diesmos, A. C., Sodhi, N. S., & Brooks, T. M. (2008). Hope for threatened tropical biodiversity:
lessons from the Philippines. BioScience, 58(3), 231-240.
Tilman, D., Isbell, F., & Cowles, J. M. (2014). Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Annual review of
ecology, evolution, and systematics, 45, 471-493.
Prepared by:
JOHN RONALD T. POLICARPIO
Instructor
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