TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Ayala Blvd., Ermita, Manila, 1000, Philippines
Tel No. +632-301-3001 local 102 | Fax No. +632-521-4063
Email:
[email protected] | Website: www.tup.edu.ph
GEE11B-PEOPLE AND EARTH’S ECOSYSTEM
Name: Russel Rob Mercado Date:
Section: BETCPET 3DS Score:
Activity 1
“Exploring Terrestrial and Freshwater Biomes in the Philippines”
Provide examples of Philippine terrestrial and freshwater biomes. Briefly discuss their
importance and highlight any threats facing these biomes in the Philippines.
Two significant types of land environments, in the Philippines are rainforests
and mangrove forests. Tropical rainforests play a role in supporting a variety of plant and
animal species contributing to ecosystem diversity with some estimates suggesting that
a single hectare of rainforest can contain hundreds of different tree species alone. This
rich botanical tapestry provides habitats for countless other organisms, from fungi and
insects to birds and mammals. They also help regulate the climate and store carbon.
Mangrove forests, located along coastlines function as breeding grounds for fish,
safeguard shores from erosion and offer opportunities for communities to make a living.
The freshwater environments consist of rivers, lakes, and wetlands. These areas support
life and provide essential services like water purification, flood control and sediment
trapping. They are also vital for sustaining agriculture, fisheries and tourism this explains
the importance of the biomes in our agricultural ways this also support local farmers who
are using thy said biomes especially freshwater biomes Unfortunately, both the land-
based ecosystems and freshwater habitats in the Philippines are facing challenges.
Deforestation caused mainly by expansion logging activities due to illegal logging even
with the government limiting this it is still a big contributing factor as many people do illegal
logging due to profit hence the major threats to the environment and urban development
poses a threat to tropical rainforests and mangrove forests. Pollution, from discharges,
agricultural runoff and improper waste disposal jeopardizes the health of freshwater
ecosystems this does not only affect nature but also to us as a community the more we
innovate and build structures it leaves a carbon footprint that damages our environment
that includes the biomes of the Philippines thus effecting the way we interact with our
social life and in the environment. Climate change worsens these issues by changing
rainfall patterns increasing temperatures and intensifying weather conditions. Putting
these environments at further risk and contributes to damaging our surroundings this is a
major threat knowing cfc and greenhouse gases are already a big factor when it comes
to terrestrial and freshwater biomes not only in the Philippines but to other neighboring
countries as well. It is imperative to focus on conservation initiatives adopt land use
practices implement policies to tackle pollution effectively and to be more discipline as a
citizen and address climate change to protect these ecosystems in the Philippines.
