● Biodiversity is composed of numerous

living organisms, from the minute to the

largest creatures, and is composed of
BIO “life” several species or groups. These
organisms interact with one another and
DIVERSITY - with non-living things.
variety ● Taxonomy and ecology are the two
fundamental sciences that generate
information to fully understand the
importance of biodiversity for our survival.
 WHAT DO WE GET FROM BIODIVERSITY?
• sources of food and energy in addition clean water and
air.
• source of raw materials for industrial activities
• natural services like water purification, soil fertility, waste
disposal, pest control and aesthetic pleasure.
• discovery and use of plants as medicines,
microorganisms as sources of antibiotics and marine
animals for various compounds of industrial use.
THREE COMPONENTS
OF BIODIVERSITY
GENETIC DIVERSITY
Genetic diversity refers to the variation in the genes of a species. Genes are
segments of DNA that dictate the traits of an organism.
SPECIES DIVERSITY
Species diversity refers to the variation in the number of species. This involves a
combination of species richness and species evenness in an area.
ECOSYSTEM DIVERSITY
Ecosystem diversity refers to the variety of biotic communities, habitats, and
ecosystems. An ecosystem is a self-contained community of living organisms that
interact with each other and with their physical environment. The two
classifications of ecosystems are aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial ecosystems.
The survival of organisms depends on a variety of non-living or abiotic factors,
such as air, water, temperature, humidity, pH, light intensity, and current.
 PHILIPPINES BIODIVERSITY
LUZON ● The Philippines, being a tropical and
archipelagic country, has very rich and
diverse flora and fauna. It is considered a
biodiversity hotspot and attracts tourists and
VISAYAS scientists to examine its natural resources.
● Allowing the public to observe our treasures
is an advantage to our local economy, but it
can lead to the eventual disturbance and
MINDANAO exploitation of natural resources, especially
if they are not given protection.
 THREATS TO
BIODIVERSITY
 HABITAT DESTRUCTION
Habitat destruction is a process where the natural habitat becomes
incapable of supporting its native species. Urbanization,
reconstruction of the areas into a park, agricultural land
development, habitat fragmentation, river damming, deforestation,
and the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer can cause
alteration or habitat destruction.
 POLLUTION
Pollution is a condition in which there is an unnatural increase in
the concentrations of environmental compounds such as
agricultural waste, sewage, and particulates that cause an
unfavorable environment for the survival of organisms. Even too
much light can be a pollutant. Pollutants destroyed the habitats of
different marine and terrestrial organisms.
INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES
Invasive alien species include
exotic species introduced
accidentally or deliberately to a
place that is not part of their
natural habitat. It can disrupt the
native ecosystem of the native
organisms. Alien species may
infect, compete, eat, or mate with
the native species.
 GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE
CHANGE
• The gradual increase in the world’s
temperature also threatens biodiversity.
This can alter environmental
conditions.
• Global warming entails the meltdown of
icebergs that leads to sea level rise, an
increase in the amount of rainfall, too
much heat, frequent grass and forest
fires, and changes in sea temperature.
Some species may be lost if they are
unable to adapt to these changes.
BIODIVERSITY EXPLOITATION
Biodiversity exploitation refers to
the unsustainable use or
harvesting of natural resources.
Any form of abuse of flora and
fauna threatens biodiversity.
Overexploitation may threaten
their proliferation. Gathering these
endangered ones for trading is an
act punishable by law.
 OVERPOPULATION
Human overpopulation poses the
greatest threat to biodiversity. As the
population increases, the demand for
all human needs and wants also
increases. As demand increases, the
need for our natural resources also
increases. We are at the point where
we get too much from the
environment but do not contribute to
its replacement.
CONSERVING
BIODIVERSITY
● Diversity loss can be prevented through appropriate
research, government legislation, education and awareness,
and sustainable use of biodiversity.
● There are very few researches that focus on the biodiversity
of various organisms.
● The sustainable use of biodiversity should be given
emphasis.
● Education and awareness activities have started and are
being done continuously. Community-based programs are
also initiated to help conserve biodiversity. People involve
themselves in conservation projects.
● Implementation of laws and orders to save biodiversity.
These laws never forget preserving the wellness and
betterment of our nature.
? THE ROLE OF
EVOLUTION IN
BIODIVERSITY
● Evolution is how the genetic composition of
species changes over time.
● Evolution may be microevolution or a
macroevolution.
● Microevolution is the evolution between species
levels, while macroevolution is the type that
gives rise to new species or larger groups, such
as new genera, families, classes, or phyla.
● Evolution may happen through artificial selection or natural
selection.
● In artificial selection, humans determine which individuals
breed, as exemplified by the specific crops that are bred
and varieties that come out.
● In natural selection, the environment determines which
organisms survive and perpetuate. By natural selection,
individuals vary, and variations could be inherited. The
variations may confer advantages on the next generation
so that the individuals have better capacity to adapt and
survive.
Extinction is the dying out or
termination of a species. This
occurs due to environmental
forces like climate change,
habitat fragmentation, and
overexploitation, or because of
evolutionary changes in their
members like inbreeding, poor
reproduction, superior
competition, and a decline in the
population.
 TECHNOLOGY-DRIVEN
THREATS TO EXTINCTION
OZONE LAYER DEPLETION THROUGH CFCS

● The ozone layer, found in the

stratosphere, protects the Earth
against harmful ultraviolet radiation
from the sun. Ozone depletion
refers to the thinning of Earth’s
ozone layer caused by the release
of ozone-depleting substances
such as CFCs. Ozone depletion
increases the risks of skin cancer,
eye cataracts, and a weak immune
system.
● The Montreal Protocol is a global agreement that addresses the
destruction of the ozone layer. It cuts down on the production and
usage of ozone-depleting substances in order to lessen their
amount in the atmosphere, thus protecting the Earth's ozone layer.
USAGE OF FOSSIL FUELS LEADING TO GLOBAL
WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE
● Global warming refers to the rise in
Earth's temperature. Global
warming is primarily caused by
human activities, specifically the
burning of fossil fuels. Fossil fuel
refers to coal, crude oil, and natural
gas that were formed from the
fossilized remains of organisms.
● Burning fossil fuels generates the
energy needed for vehicles,
houses, and businesses.
USAGE OF FOSSIL FUELS LEADING TO GLOBAL
WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE
● Using fossil fuels releases a large
amount of carbon, which contributes
to the heat-trapping gases present in
the atmosphere. Increasing
greenhouse gases will lead to global
warming, and global warming will
result in climate change. Climate
change describes the long-term
changes in climate due to continuous
warming of the Earth.
NUCLEAR WAR AND NUCLEAR CONTAMINATION
Nuclear war involves the use of
nuclear weapons, which will
cause radiation contamination.
Nuclear war may affect thousands
of people, resulting in cancer,
birth defects for pregnant
individuals, and ARS (Acute
radiation syndrome). It also
destroys infrastructure and may
contaminate an ecosystem for a
long period of time.
PLASTICS
PETROLEUM-BASED FERTILIZER
● The use of petroleum-based fertilizer
may lead to eutrophication.
Eutrophication is a process that
occurs in bodies of water because of
the increasing nutrients (such as
nitrogen and phosphorus) that
stimulate the growth of algae and
result in oxygen depletion.
● Since aquatic organisms also need
oxygen in order to breathe, other
organisms that live in the water end
up dying because of too much algae.
HABITAT DESTRUCTION
REFERENCE:
Ilagan Y, Balinado L, Digma J. et’al. Science,
Technology and Society. Panday-Lahi Publishing Inc

PREPARED BY:
MS. ANN KIMBERLY S. MENDOZA, LPT