Module 6: Philippine Biodiversity and Earth’s Biome Philippine Biodiversity

Meaning of Biodiversity • Philippines: Second largest archipelago; over 7,100 islands.

• Biological diversity (biodiversity): Variety of life forms on Earth; measures • Endemic species: High level of marine biodiversity; 52,177 species listed as
ecosystem health. threatened by IUCN.

• Levels of Biodiversity: • Biodiversity Hotspot: Biologically rich but threatened by:

1. Species Diversity: Effective number of different species in a collection. o Illegal logging, deforestation, mining, pollution, invasive species, etc.

▪ Species Richness: Total count of species. Classification of Species

▪ Species Evenness: Relative abundance of species. • Extinct species: Not seen in the wild for 50 years (e.g., Dodo).

▪ Species Dominance: Most abundant species. • Endangered species: Reduced to critical levels.

2. Ecosystem Diversity: Variety of ecosystems in a biosphere. • Rare species: At risk but not currently endangered.

3. Genetic Diversity: Total number of genetic characteristics in a species. • Endemic species: Restricted to a particular area.

Value of Biodiversity Conservation of Biodiversity

• Ecosystem Benefits: • Conservation Biology: Protects, preserves, and restores wildlife and natural
resources.
o Protection of water resources: Vegetation regulates water runoff and
prevents floods/droughts. • Republic Act 11038 (E-Nipas Act): Expands protected areas and imposes
stricter penalties for violations.
o Soil formation and protection: Prevents soil erosion and salinization.
• Types of Conservation:
o Nutrient storage and cycling: Recycles essential nutrients.
1. In-situ: Conservation in natural habitats.
o Pollution breakdown and absorption: Wetlands filter pollutants.
2. Ex-situ: Conservation outside natural habitats (e.g., zoos, seed banks).
o Climate stability: Forests maintain rainfall through water vapor
recycling. Earth's Biome

• Biological Resources: • Biomes: Large ecosystems with similar conditions and inhabitants.

o Food, clothing, shelter: Plants provide food, wood, and medicine. • Seven Major Terrestrial Biomes:

o Source of natural products: Medicinal plants like lagundi for cough. 1. Tropical Rainforest: High rainfall, diverse species (e.g., Philippine
forests).
• Social Benefits:
2. Temperate Rainforest/Deciduous Forest: Seasonal changes, rich soil.
o Recreation: Biodiversity supports tourism and hobbies.
3. Coniferous Forest: Cold winters, evergreen trees (e.g., pine, fir).
o Cultural values: Plants and animals are part of traditions and culture.
4. Deserts: Dry, minimal rainfall (e.g., Sahara Desert).
 5. Grasslands: Seasonal climate, nutrient-rich soil (e.g., prairies, pampas). Causes of Deforestation

6. Boreal Forest (Taiga): Long, cold winters; coniferous trees. 1. Slash-and-burn agriculture: Farmers clear land, then abandon it.

7. Tundra: Cold, limited sunlight; no trees. 2. Fire: Used in farming, often gets out of control.

• Aquatic Biomes: 3. Cattle ranching: Forests cleared for grazing.

1. Marine Biome: Largest biome; includes oceans, coral reefs. 4. Fuelwood gathering: Over 1 billion cubic meters harvested annually.

2. Freshwater Biome: Includes ponds, lakes, rivers, wetlands. 5. Industrial logging: Wasteful and inefficient.

6. Overpopulation: Increased demand for resources.

Module 7: Community Ecology and Deforestation 7. War/Military conflicts: e.g., Siege of Marawi City.

Deforestation Effects of Deforestation

• Definition: Large-scale removal of trees for human activities. • Increased CO2 levels: Contributes to global warming.

• Effects: Loss of biodiversity, soil erosion, climate change. • Disturbed water cycle: Reduced transpiration leads to droughts.

• Forest Definition (FMB, DENR): Land >0.5 hectares with >10% tree crown cover. • Soil erosion: Loss of trees leads to landslides.

• Types of Forests in the Philippines: • Extinction of species: Loss of habitats.

1. Dipterocarp: Tall trees; home to rare species. • Flooding: Reduced water absorption by soil.

2. Molave: Found in Central Luzon. Saving Tropical Forests

3. Beach: Coastal areas. • Reforestation, strict laws against illegal logging, eco-friendly agriculture, and
use of wood alternatives (e.g., bamboo).
4. Mangrove: Tidal flats.
Community Ecology
Importance of Forests
• Community: Assemblage of species living close enough to interact.
• Combat climate change by absorbing CO2.
• Five Factors Shaping Community Structure:
• Source of oxygen, food, water, and medicine.
1. Climate and topography.
• Home to 50% of known species.
2. Availability of food and resources.
• Provide raw materials (e.g., wood, paper).
3. Adaptability traits of species.

4. Species interactions (competition, predation, mutualism).

5. Population changes and physical disturbances.

Ecological Niche Module 8: Population Ecology

• Ecological niche: Role a species plays in its environment. Population

• Competitive Exclusion Principle: Two species cannot coexist if they have the • Population: Group of organisms of the same species living in the same area.
same niche.
• Population Dynamics: Study of changes in population size and composition
• Resource Partitioning: Species evolve to use different resources to avoid due to birth, death, immigration, and emigration.
competition.
Characteristics of Population
Species Interactions
1. Population Size, Density, and Distribution:
1. Predation: Predator eats prey (e.g., foxes and rabbits).
o Population Size: Number of individuals in a population.
2. Parasitism: Parasite lives on host (e.g., ticks, tapeworms).
o Population Density: Number of individuals per unit area or volume.
3. Competition: Species compete for resources (e.g., lizards for insects).
▪ Crude Density: Density per unit total space.
4. Commensalism: One species benefits, the other is unaffected (e.g., clownfish
▪ Ecological Density: Density per unit of habitable space.
and sea anemone).
o Population Distribution: How individuals are spread out (e.g., clumped,
5. Mutualism: Both species benefit (e.g., hummingbirds and flowers).
random, regular).
Adaptive Characteristics of Animals
2. Age Structure: Proportion of individuals in different age groups.
• Structural Adaptation: Physical traits (e.g., desert foxes’ large ears).
o Age Pyramid: Represents age groups in a population.
• Physiological Adaptation: Body chemistry (e.g., kangaroo rats’ efficient
▪ Broad Base: High percentage of young individuals (rapid
kidneys).
growth).
• Behavioral Adaptation: Actions (e.g., bears hibernating).
▪ Bell-Shaped: Stable population.
• Social Adaptation: Group roles (e.g., ants in colonies).
▪ Urn-Shaped: Declining population.
Ecological Succession
3. Natality (Birth Rate):
• Ecological Succession: Replacement of one community by another.
o Maximum Natality: Theoretical maximum reproduction under ideal
• Primary Succession: Occurs in areas without soil (e.g., volcanoes). conditions.

• Secondary Succession: Occurs where soil exists but the community is o Ecological Natality: Actual reproduction under existing conditions.
disturbed (e.g., after wildfires).
4. Mortality (Death Rate):
• Climax Community: Stable community at the end of succession.
o Minimum Mortality: Theoretical minimum death rate under ideal
conditions.

o Ecological Mortality: Actual death rate under existing conditions.

 5. Biotic Potential: Maximum reproductive capacity of a population under ideal 5. Lack of Family Planning: Illiteracy and early marriages.
conditions.
Effects of Overpopulation
o r = b - d: Growth rate (r) is the difference between birth rate (b) and
1. Depletion of Natural Resources: Overuse of water, food, and energy.
death rate (d).
2. Degradation of Environment: Pollution from industries and vehicles.
Life Tables
3. Conflicts and Wars: Competition for resources.
• Life Tables: Tabulate mortality and life expectancy for each age group in a
population. 4. Rise in Unemployment: Fewer jobs for a large population.
• Net Reproductive Rate: Number of offspring left by each individual. 5. Pandemics and Epidemics: High population density increases disease spread.
Human Population Growth 6. Malnutrition, Starvation, and Famine: Scarce resources lead to food shortages.
• Demography: Study of human population size, density, and distribution. 7. Lower Life Expectancy: Especially in less-developed nations.
• Three Periods of Human Population Growth: 8. Extinction: Destruction of natural habitats.
1. Pre-Agricultural Period: Slow growth; population doubled over tens of 9. Intensive Farming: Damages ecosystems.
thousands of years.
10. Climate Change: Industrial growth increases emissions.
2. Agricultural Period: Rapid growth due to advances in agriculture;
population doubled in 1,000 years. Solutions to Overpopulation

3. Industrial Period: Exponential growth due to technological advances 1. Better Education: Promote smaller families.
(e.g., Industrial Revolution).
2. Education for Girl Child: Empower women through education.
Philippine Population
3. Family Planning Awareness: Educate on the effects of overpopulation.
• 2019 Population: 108.12 million (13th most populated country).
4. Tax Benefits: Incentives for smaller families.
• Ethnic Groups: Malay race majority; Aetas (Negritos) and other highland
groups.
Key Figures and Laws:
• Languages: Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilokano, etc.
• John Donne: "No man is an island."
• Population Density: 363 per km².
• Republic Act 11038 (E-Nipas Act): Expanded National Integrated Protected
Causes of Overpopulation
Areas System.
1. Decline in Death Rate: Advances in medicine and sanitation.
• IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature.
2. Agricultural Advancements: Increased food production.

3. Child Labor: Children seen as income sources; lack of education.

4. Immigration: Movement to developed countries.