Chapter 12

BIODIVERSITY and
CONSERVATION
Ms. Jannet Broas
Ms. Celeste Desingaño
Ms. Gladys Guirre
Ms. Jenalyn Sampang
 Definition of Terms:
 Biodiversity – the wealth of life forms found on Earth. It is the richness,
abundance and variability of plant and animal species, communities and the
ecological processes

 Biodiversity Hotspots – have exceptionally high numbers of endemics or

species that occur nowhere else.

 Endemic species – species that is found in only one area. Such species are
especially vulnerable to extinction.

 Extinction – complete disappearance of a species from the Earth. It happens

when a species cannot adapt and successfully reproduce under new environmental
conditions or when species evolves into one or more new species.

 Threatened (vulnerable) species – is still abundant in its natural range but

because of declining numbers is likely to become endangered in the near future;
considered to be facing a high risk of extinction.

 Endangered species – has so few individual survivors that the species could
soon become extinct over all or most of its natural range; species considered facing
a very high risk of extinction.

 Extinct – a species no longer found in the past 50 years and there is no reasonable
doubt that the last individual has died.
 Benefits of Biodiversity
1. FOOD AND DRINK
 Biodiversity provides food for humans.
 About 80% of our food supply comes from just 20 kinds of plants.
 All of our food comes from other organisms. It was estimated that
as many as 80,000 edible wild plant species can be utilized by
humans.
 Fruits, nuts, mushrooms, honey, other foods, and spices are
extracted from many forest species.
 In many countries, meat forms an important part of local diets
while the fish serves as the primary source of protein.

2. RESISTANCE TO CATASTROPHE
 Higher biodiversity controls the spread of certain diseases as
viruses will need adapt itself with every new species.
 Benefits of Biodiversity
3. DRUGS AND MEDICINES
 Living organisms provide us with many useful drugs and
medicines.

 More than half of all modern medicines are either derived

from or modeled on natural compounds from wild species.

Examples are:
1. Penicillin from fungus now used as antibiotic
2. Quinine from chincona bark now used for malaria
treatment
3. Vinblastine and vincristine from periwinkle plant now
used as anticancer drugs (leukemia and Hodgkin's
disease)
4. Allantoin from blowfly larva now used as wound healer
5. Erythromycin from bacterium now used as antibiotic
 Benefits of Biodiversity
4. LEISURE, AESTHETIC AND CULTURAL
BENEFITS
 Millions of people enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, hiking,
wildlife watching, and other outdoor activities based on
nature. These activities keep us healthy by providing
invigorating physical exercise.
 Contact with nature also can be psychologically and
emotionally restorative while to some it may carry some
spiritual connotations.

5. INDUSTRIAL MATERIALS
 Industrial materials are derived directly from biological
resources.
 Example: building materials, fibers, dyes, resins, gums,
adhesives, rubber and oil.
 Benefits of Biodiversity
6. PRODUCTION OF ECONOMIC GOODS

 Fish and animal products are commonly traded in economic

markets.

 Grasslands are an important source of marketable goods,

including animals used for labor (horses, mules, asses, camels,
bullocks, etc.) and those whose parts or products are consumed
(as meat, milk, wool, and leather).

 Natural ecosystems also produce vegetation used directly by

humans as food, timber, fuel wood, fiber, pharmaceuticals and
industrial products.

 Wood and other plant materials are used in the construction of

homes and other buildings, as well as for the manufacture of
furniture, farming implements, paper, cloth, thatching, rope,
and so on.
 Benefits of Biodiversity
7. ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS
 Soil formation, waste disposal, air and water purification,
nutrient cycling, solar energy absorption, and management of
biogeochemical and hydrological cycles all depends on the
biodiversity of life.
 STATE OF PHILIPPINE BIODIVERSITY
 It has the total land of approximately 30 million hectares
consisting of more than 7,000 islands for the home of most
unbelievable unique and rare animals.

 One of the most biologically diverse country in the world.

 Endemism is high.

“Endemicity”- refers to the restricted distribution of biota

at any taxonomic level. These are unique species that found
nowhere else in the world.
 23rd- richest in species in
the world

 7th- richest in species at

Asian region

 5th- in the world for the most

number of endemic species

 4th- bird endemism

 8th-reptilian endemism. Amphibian
endemism is at 78%
 2nd-for all species of
butterflies

 5th-for tiger beetle

endemism
 Species Number of Endemics
Species
Flowering Plants 9,000 3,000
Mammals 183 121
Reptiles and 359 248
Amphibians
Fishes 3,094 78
Birds 577 195+
Butterflies 895 352
Corals 800 500
Plants – there are 9,000 flowering plants found in the
country including 200 fruit trees. Among the endemic fruit
trees in the country are durian, mabolo, pili and bignay.
 ENDEMIC FRUIT TREES
IN THE COUNTRY

1. Durian
2. Mabolo
3. Pili
4. Bignay
 Mammals
 Philippine bamboo bat
(Vespertilionid sp.) is the smallest
bat in the world.

 Giant flying fox (Acerodon

jubatus) and the golden crown
flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus)
are the world's largest bat and is
found in virgin forest of Subic Bay
and Bataan.
 Mammals
 Philippine spotted deer (Cervus
alfredi) is one of the world's rarest
mammals and is considered by
many as the most endangered
deer in the planet. It is found in the
dwindling forest of Panay Island.

 Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis)

is endemic to Mindoro. It belong to
the family of buffalos, and is the
largest endangered land animal in
the Philippines today. International
Union for the Conservation of
Nature (IUCN) listed it as one of
the ten most endangered species
in the world.
 Mammals
 Philippine tarsier (Tarsius
syrichta) is considered as the
world's smallest primate. Its two
big eyes cannot move and do not
have a tapetum. It can turn its
head 180 degrees. It is found in
the islands of Samar, Leyte, Bohol
and Mindanao.

 Pilandok (Tragalus nigricans) is

the world's smallest hoofed
mammal. The Philippine mouse
deer is found in Balabac Island,
South of Palawan.
  Of 114 snakes found in
Reptiles
the Philippines 14 is
said to be poisonous.

 Reticulated phyton is
the longest snake

 King Cobra is the

most venomous
terrestrial snake in the
world

 Anaconda is the
world’s largest snake
 Reptile

 Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is

the world's largest reptile and is found in the
Philippines and other Asian country.
Reptiles  Sea turtles popularly known in the
Philippines as pawikan.

 There are more than 220 species

of turtles in the world, but only
seven are considered marine
(saltwater).

 Five of these species are present

in the Philippines, namely:

a. Green (Chelonia mydas)

b. Hawksbill (Eretmochelys
imbricata)
 Reptiles

c. Loggerhead (Caretta caretta)

d. Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea)

e. Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea)

 Birds
 Philippine monkey-eating
eagle (Pithecophaga
jefferyi) is the tallest, most
magnificent and biggest
eagle in the world. It lives
in the rainforests of
Isabela, Samar. Leyte, and
Mindanao.
Birds

 Button quail (Turnix worcesteri) is an endemic to

the island of Luzon
 Birds
 Cebu Flowerpecker
(Dicaeum quadricolor)
is a small passerine bird
and is endemic to Cebu
island in the Philippines.
Plants and Flowers

 Rafflesia speciousa
is the largest flower

 Philippine Iron
Wood is the hardest
wood
 Philippine Endangered Species
Plants Birds Mammals Reptiles
All species of ferns Philippine eagle Dugong (Dugong Hawk’s bill
(Cyatheaceae spp) (Pithecophaga dugong) (Eretmochelys
jefferyi) imbricata)

Lady’s slipper or Peregrine falcon Tamaraw (Bubalus Logger head

“pitogo” (Cycas (Falco peregrinus) mindorensis) (Cretta cretta)
spp.)
Alocasia, pitcher Palawan peacock Philippine tarsier Olive ridley
plant (Nepenthes pheasant (Tarsius syrichia) (Lepidochelys
spp.) (Polyplectron olivacea)
emphanum)

Orchids Spotted green shank Calamaman deer Leather back turtle

(Orchidaceae spp.) (Tringa guttifera) (Axis calamianensis) (Dermochelys
coriacea)

Bleeding heart Fruit bat Crocodiles

pigeon (Callicolumba (Ptenochirus jagori) (Crocodylus
luzonica) mindorensis)
All species of ferns (Cyatheaceae spp)
Lady’s slipper or “pitogo” (Cycas spp.)
Alocasia, pitcher plant (Nepenthes spp)
Orchids (Orchidaceae spp.)
Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi)
Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)
Palawan peacock pheasant (Polyplectron emphanum)
Spotted green shank (Tringa guttifera)
Bleeding heart pigeon (Callicolumba luzonica)
 Dugong (Dugong dugong)
Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis)
 Philippine tarsier (Tarsius syrichta)
Calamaman deer (Axis calamianensis)
Fruit bat (Ptenochirus jagori)
Hawk’s bill (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Logger head (Caretta caretta)
 Olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea)
Leather back turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
Crocodiles (Crocodylus mindorensis)
 Causes of Destruction of Biodiversity
 Habitat Destruction or Alteration.
The most important extinction threat
for most species is habitat loss. The
most obvious example of habitat
destruction is clear cutting of forest
(deforestation), conversion of
grasslands to crop fields, conversion
of space to industrial area.

 Introduction of exotic species

(non-native). A major threat to
native biodiversity in many places is
from accidentally or deliberately
introduced species. Called a variety
of names – alien, exotic, non-native,
non-indigenous, unwanted,
disruptive, or pests – invasive
species are organisms that thrive in
new territory where they may
adversely affect native species by
infecting them, competing with
them, eating them or mating with
them.
  Overpopulation. Human
Causes of Destruction population growth represents
threat to biodiversity in several
of Biodiversity ways.
 Massive timber and fuel
consumption, mining,
dynamite and muro-ami
fishing, clearing for
agriculture have destroyed
nature’s habitat.

 Pollution. Toxic pollutants can

have disastrous effects on local
population of organisms.
 Pesticides have polluted the
environment that some
valuable insects were
destroyed at the same time
the harmful ones are killed.
 Pesticides reached bodies of
waters and lead to poisoning
of fish-eating birds, falcons,
marine mammals, alligators,
fish, and sea lions.
 Over harvesting, over-exploitation, over-
hunting. Because of economical benefit from Causes of
biodiversity, many species have been over-
exploited over the years. Destruction of
 American bison or buffalo was hunted near to
extinction for their hides or tongues.
Biodiversity
 Fish stocks have been seriously depleted by
over harvesting in many parts of the world.
 Plants are also threatened by over harvesting.
 Wild ginseng has been nearly eliminated in
many areas because of Asian demand for roots
that are used as an aphrodisiac and folk
medicine.

 Natural Cause of Extinction. Global climate

change caused by release of greenhouse
gases in the atmosphere destroy and alter
environmental ecosystems thus species may be
lost if they are unable to adapt to new
conditions.
 New species may arise through the processes of
mutation and natural selection and disappear the
same way.
 Example is the tiny Hypohippus which has been
replaced by the much larger modern horse.
 Conservation
 Is
the management, protection and
wise use of natural resources.

 Naturalresources includes all

things that help support life, such
as water, soil, plants and animals.
Kinds of Conservation
A. Soil Conservation

B. Water Conservation

C. Forest Conservation

D. Wildlife Conservation
 Importance of Conservation

1. To meet demands for resources

2. To maintain the quality of life
 A. Soil Conservation
 Importance of soil for the
growth of plants

 The thin layer of fertile of

soil was formed by natural
processes over thousands
of years. But due to certain
practice of man, soil has
been destroyed.

 Major conservation
problems: Soil Erosion
 Soil Erosion
 Removal of natural vegetation in order to
clear the land for construction projects,
farmlands, subdivisions, mining operations
etc.

 Plants protect the soil from rain and wind.

 Farmers can prevent soil erosion by

reforestation, by planting trees on fields and
unplowed areas.
 B. Water Conservation

 Water supply is directly proportional to population

 Earth has abundant supply of water, but it is unevenly

distributed

 Some areas establish dams to create water reservoirs and

also to control flood.

 Watershed management help reduce flooding and soil

erosion and conserve water
 C. Forest Conservation
 Forests serves as homes
for wildlife and for timber.

 Forest are important

watershed. They absorb
rain water and prevent run-
off of water that causes
flooding and erosion.

 Forests provide recreational

space.

 Conservation of forests can

be managed by protecting
them from fires, insect pests
and diseases.
 Food and medicine Importance of Forest
 Lumber, furniture, paper, etc.

 Stop erosion

 Refresh air

 Control stream and river

flows

Deforestation
 Defined as the large scale
removal of forests

 Permanent destruction of
forests and woodlands.
 Six Types of Philippine Forest
1. Dipterocarp
 Forest made up of tall trees
with branch-less trunks.
 Ex: yakal, apitong, tangile
and buan
 Major sources of timber
 The latest estimates confirm
that the country’s remaining
forest area is 5.6M hectares,
compared to its 20M hectares
a century ago.

2. Pine
 Pine forest in the Philippines
 The Mindoro Pine found
in Mindoro and Zambales
 The Benguet Pine found
in Candelaria, Quezon
 Six Types of Philippine Forest
3. Molave
 This falls also under
dipterocarp
 Found in Central Luzon and
Western part of the
archipelago and occupies
about 165,000 hectares of the
total land forest area of the
country

4. Beach
 Usually found in some coastal
areas.
 Dungon, Agoho and Banulad
trees are common which are
endemic to the Philippine
islands.
 Six Types of Philippine Forest
5. Mangrove
 These forest is found on the
tidal flats of the coastal areas
that are good sources of
charcoal, firewoods and tannin
 The mangrove ecosystem is a
nursery ground.
 Mangroves’ conversion into
fishponds has been
established as the primary
reason for forest destruction.

6. Mossy
 Also called cloud forest found
throughout the higher parts of
the mountains and inhabited
by many of the endemic
wildlife of the Philippines.
D. Wildlife Conservation
 This is the management of
natural resources in our
environment for protection and
benefit of plants and animals.

 Some species of plants and

animals become extinct
because of human activities
and population growth.

 Hunting, clearing of forest for

agriculture and industry, and
pollution affects the
environment and damages the
habitat of wildlife species.
 Protected Areas in the Philippines

As mandated by
National Integrated Protection Area System (NIPAS) Act of 1992

 Batanes (habitat of migratory birds and lizard)

 N. Sierra Madre National Park (Philippine eagle, deer

and dipterocarp, coral reefs, sea grass beds)

 Subic Bay National Parks (endemic endangered bat

species)
 Apo Reef Marine National Park (coral reefs)

 Mt. Kanlaon National Parks

 Mt. Apo and Mt. Katanglad

 Agusan Marsh Sanctuary (largest swamp in the country)

 Siargao Wildlife Sanctuary (rare crocodile and birds)

 Turtle Island Marine National Park (endangered marine

turtles)
 Captive Breeding Existing In The Philippines

1. Zobel’s deer farm in Calatagan Batangas

2. Philippine Raptor Conservation Program at the

Makiling Botanic Gardens, UPLB

3. Philippine Eagle Conservation Center in Davao City

4. Crocodile Farming Institute in Puerto Princesa Palawan

5. Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary

6. Tamaraw Conservation Project in San Jose Mindoro