Biodiversity AND Healthy Society - Learning Module PDF

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BIODIVERSITY AND HEALTHY SOCIETY Objectives: • Define biodiversity. • Explain the importance of biodiversity. • Explain and give examples of the components of biodiversity. • Distinguish habitat from niche. • Enumerate some activities which threaten biodiversity. • Assess the status of Philippine biodiversity 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 – 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 – is the biological interactions between two different biological organisms. Symbiosis is vital for existence. Each species has their role for other species. In mutualism, both species benefit. For example, bees and flowers, where the former get nectar from the latter. At the same time, flowers are pollinated. In commensalism, one species benefits without harming the other species. Take for example, frogs stay under the lotus leaf for their protection. In 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 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 – 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.

Taxonomy and Ecology are 2 fundamental sciences that generate knowledge and information to fully understand the importance of biodiversity for human survival. Taxonomy is the science concerned with classification, especially organisms. Ecology is the scientific study of interactions between organisms and their environment. However, there are some limitations, like: • Biodiversity conservation strategies focused on research and policy on global scale but not much on local diversity. • Lack of specific data on species composition of communities. • Biodiversity studies lacking in taxonomic precision. • Few taxonomists. • Insufficient biodiversity inventory and assessment 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 – is 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 – are defined as the animal’s characteristic of a particular time period or a particular location. It refers to the animals.

Wild Fauna Animals

WILD FLORA ANIMALS

Summary of threatened wildlife species

The 2014 data show that there are 211 wild fauna/animals and 526 wild flora/plants which are threatened. Threats to Biodiversity Factors that affect Biodiversity (Amman 2005, Braun and Amman 2001): • 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 Non-native species of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) include exotic micro- and macro species introduced accidentally or deliberately, to a place that is not a part of their natural habitat or distributional range. Examples: Invasive species affecting the Aquaculture Industry: Like: Janitor fish, Crown knife fish, giant snakehead, Black-chin tilapia, Jaguar guapote Global Climate Change Threatens Biodiversity: Gradual increase in the world’s temperature causes Global Warming Global warming leads to: • 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 Exploitation - Illegal wildlife trade, Overfishing, Illegal logging, collecting species for trade, Gathering endangered species

Overpopulation - HUMAN OVERPOPULATION poses the greatest threat to biodiversity. Conserving biodiversity – Strategies to conserve biodiversity need realistic solutions and will need multidisciplinary strategies, Like: 1. Political, socioeconomic and scientific input 2. All major stakeholders (gov’t, NG, national and international organizations) must participate 3. Researches can be done 4. Proper investigations on environmental problems can be used for policy making 5. Relevant information maybe given to local communities regarding sustainable use of biodiversity. How can we prevent biodiversity loss? • Research • Legislation • Education/Awareness • Sustainable use of habitats and fisheries • Integration / Coordination How can we prevent biodiversity loss? • Save it – Enact political legislation ensuring preservation of species. • 1973 • Amended through 108th U.S. Congress • Responsible agency: Department of Interior • U.S. Fish and wildlife service • Study it – The more we known about something, the more its value can be understood and then it is more likely to be saved. • Use it sustainably and equitable – Do not extract resources at a faster rate than they can be renewed.

• Cut down consumption levels in general so there is not such a disparity between U.S. and developing nations. Techniques of conserving Biodiversity Several technologies are now available and/or maintain biodiversity. They are: • Cell and Tissue Culture • Cryopreservation technology • Advances in molecular biology and genetics Cryopreservation Technology – is a non-lethal storage of organelles, cells, tissues or some biological constructs at ultra-low temperature. This technology enables the conservation of germplasm. In the Philippines, this technology is used by the Philippine Carabao Center. 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 Bio - Life Diversity – Variety Biodiversity - the variety of animals, plants, fungi and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up the natural world. Symbiosis • Mutualism – Both species benefit with each other

• Parasitism – Species benefit while another is harmed • Commensalism – A species benefits while the other is neither benefit or harmed. Invasive species - is an organism that causes ecological or economic harm in a new environment where it is not native. Keystone species are organisms that helps define an entire ecosystem Area of biology involving the use of living organisms to develop or make products. Genetic Engineering – Changing or altering the DNA of living organisms to create new species GMO – Genetically Modified Organisms are called Transgenic organisms. Genetic Engineering technique - Artificial Selection (Breeding) - - Breeders choose organisms to mate to produce offspring with desired traits. They maintain and pass the desired traits when obtained. 1. Selective Breeding – same organism; 1. Selective Breeding - Hybridization – different organism - Inbreeding - Closely related organism to maintain desired traits. Risks: 1. Less variation 2. Prone to genetic disorders 3. No reshuffling of genes - Cloning - Creating an organism that is an exact genetic copy of another. 1. Natural cloning - Identical Twins, parthenogenesis and asexual reproduction. 2. Artificial cloning - Dolly the first animal to be cloned.In vitro - Environment is a huge part in the development of an organism - Different Fingerprints Risks of cloning: Benefits of cloning: 1. Miscarriage 1. Organ transplants

2. Birth defects / Abnormal gene expression 2. Stops extinction 3. Reduces Variation 3. Increase Food Supply - Gene Splicing - Is a form of genetic engineering where specific gene sequences are inserted into the genome of a different organism. 1. A restriction enzyme cuts the insulin gene out of the human DNA 2. A plasmid is removed from the bacteria and cut with the same restriction enzyme 3. The human gene is placed into the plasmid 4. The plasmid is placed back into the bacteria...