Module 4

Module 4
Overview on Ecosystems Conservation

CONTENTS
Page
1. Restoring Ecosystems
 Forests -
 Lakes and Rivers-
 Agro-ecosystems -
2. Case Studies ………………………………………
 Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape

3. Basic Field Sampling Methods for Ecosystem Assessment
 Plot method
 Transect method
Learning Outcomes:
 Discuss the effects of various human activities to the physico-chemical and socio-
cultural component of the environment.
 Analyze the implications of the ecological baseline data to the over-all ecological health
Lesson 1: Restoring Ecosystems
Why Ecosystems are Important

Source: https://www.worldenvironmentday.global/ecosystem-restoration-playbook
Ecosystems are the web of life on Earth. An ecosystem comprises all the living organisms and
the interactions among them and with their surroundings in a given place. They exist at all
scales, from a grain of soil to the entire planet, and include forests, rivers, wetlands, grasslands,
estuaries and coral reefs. Cities and farmlands contain important human-modified ecosystems.
Ecosystems provide us with priceless benefits. They include a stable climate and breathable air;
supplies of water, food and materials of all kinds; and protection from disaster and disease.
Natural ecosystems are important for our physical and mental health, and for our identity. They
are home to precious wildlife. For many, they are a source of wonder and spirituality.
All over the world, ecosystems face massive threats. Forests are being cleared; rivers and lakes
polluted; wetlands and peatlands drained; coasts and oceans degraded and overfished;
mountain soils eroded; and farmlands and grasslands overexploited.
Unless we change our ways and protect and restore our ecosystems, we will not only destroy
the landscapes we love, we will undermine the foundations of our own well-being and
bequeath a degraded, inhospitable planet to future generations.
Forests
Tropical forests cover about 6% of the earth’s land area—roughly the area of the lower
48 US states. The Philippine forest have
Lakes and Rivers
Agro-ecosystems
Over-intensive use, soil erosion, excess fertilizer and pesticides are exhausting many farmlands.
Ways to restore them include reducing tillage, using more natural fertilizer and pest control,
and growing more diverse crops, including trees. These steps can rebuild carbon stores in soils,
making them more fertile so countries can feed their growing populations without using even
more land. The restoration of farmland also creates habitats for wildlife.
Lesson2. Case Studies

APO
Protected Area
Lesson 3. Basic Field Sampling Methods
In order to assess interactions between organisms and their environment, an ecologist must
learn quantitative information about the population under study. Information such as density, species
richness and abundance are examples of important data that ecologist must learn how to measure or
gather to get an idea of the status of an ecosystem being studied. This information can be used as bases
for environmental resource planning especially for conservation purposes. In this lesson, you will learn
basic field sampling methods and common tools that can be used in obtaining vital environmental
information and data analyses.
Sampling should be done randomly to obtain an unbiased estimate of the population. The
sampling should be conducted in such a way that the probability of each individual being selected in the
sample is the same. Random numbers can be used to select sampling positions.
A single measurement is generally insufficient to draw conclusions. A series of replications

should be taken to ensure reliable judgement on the characteristic that has been estimated. However, it
must be noted that sampling should always be as least destructive as possible and one should try not to
trample an area too much when carrying out surveys.
Plot Sampling
Plot sampling is a basic method for obtaining samples of many types of organisms. A plot
generally is a rectangle or square, but circles or other shapes can also be used. Quadrat is a term used
interchangeably with plot. One may also use a circular plot and it is called a circlet. Choice of quadrat
size depends to a large extent on the type of survey being constructed. For example, smaller quadrats
are suggested for smaller organisms like seagrasses or moss. For moss species 0.25m 2 quadrat may be
used but quadrats of 20m2 or larger would be needed for woodland habitats. Quadrats ranging from 0.5
to 2.0m2 are suggested for grassland vegetation.
Image source: https://snabbiology.co.uk/observing-patterns-by-ecological-sampling/
Transect Sampling
Transect sampling is when samples are taken at fixed intervals along a line. This is most useful
when the area to be sampled is zoned in some way, or has some sort of gradients running through it. It
is also applicable to both terrestrial and aquatic populations. This normally involves setting a sampling
line across areas where there are clear environmental gradients. Transects are used to assess species
distribution in correlation with any abiotic factor that varies across a measurable distance
These factors could include elevation, elemental exposure, temperature, light levels, pH,
humidity and more
Kinds of Transect Sampling:
1. Line-intercept method
2. Belt transect method
3. Strip census method
Image source: https://ib.bioninja.com.au/options/option-c-ecology-and-conser/c1-species-and-communities/species-distribution.html

Point Center Quarter Method
Capture-Mark Recapture Sampling

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Module 4

Overview on Ecosystems Conservation

Lesson 1: Restoring Ecosystems

Why Ecosystems are Important

Lesson2. Case Studies

Lesson 3. Basic Field Sampling Methods

A single measurement is generally insufficient to draw conclusions. A series of replications

Image source: https://snabbiology.co.uk/observing-patterns-by-ecological-sampling/

Kinds of Transect Sampling:

Image source: https://ib.bioninja.com.au/options/option-c-ecology-and-conser/c1-species-and-communities/species-distribution.html

Capture-Mark Recapture Sampling

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