Topic 10. Introduction To Biodiversity

Organisms and
their environment
(Biodiversity)
What is Ecology?
The branch of biology that developed from
natural history is called Ecology. Ecology is the
study of interactions that take place between
organisms and their environment.
The nonliving environment: Abiotic Factors
The nonliving parts of an organism’s

environment are the abiotic factors. Examples of
abiotic factors include air currents, temperature,
moisture, light and soil.
The living Environment
All the living organisms that inhabit an environment
are called biotic factors.
Level of Organization
Biodiversity
• the variety of
life in the world
or in a particular
habitat or
ecosystem.
Philippine Ecosystem
Forest Ecosystem
• Forests are inherently diverse
ecosystems, as conditions found
within them are ideal for supporting
symbiotic ecological relationships.
• It is estimated that from having 70%
forest cover at the start of the
1900s, only about 24% remain,
based on 2001-03 satellite imagery,
according to the DENR’s Forest
Management Bureau.
• Meanwhile, according to the
Philippine Tropical Forest
Conservation Foundation,
“deforestation continues at an
average of 100,000 hectares per
year or 273 hectares per day.”
Mangrove Ecosystem
• Mangroves are medium-size and
highly tolerant flora that can
survive in brackish water (water
which is more saline than
freshwater, but not as much as
seawater).
• The Philippines boasts having more
than half of the world’s 70
mangrove species.
• mangrove ecosystems are already
dynamic and unstable
environments due to their location,
they are also commonly threatened
by human interaction due to the
utilization and consumption of
coastal communities.
Coral Reef Ecosystem
• Owning 5% of the world’s total 617,000
sq km of coral reefs, the Philippines is
part of the world’s “Coral Triangle,”
joining Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New
Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and
Timor-Leste as countries that bear the
most extensive coral reef ecosystems in
the world.
• . In fact, Verde island in Batangas has
been noted to be “the center of the
center” of marine biodiversity in the
world.
• As of 2006, only 5% of Philippine coral
reefs are in excellent condition, while
32% are already severely dam
• The World Resources Institute more
recently reports that 85% of the reefs
in the Coral Triangle as a whole are
threatened aged
Freshwater Ecosystem
• occur in in-land bodies
of water and may either
be flowing, standing, or
man-made.
• Rivers and streams, lakes
and reservoirs, and
artificial fishponds are
examples that fall into
the three respective
categories.
Seagrass and Soft-Bottom Ecosystems
• Seagrass ecosystems
comprise of aquatic
flowering plants that can
live in seawater. These
types of ecosystems occur
in shallow water
environments.
• They can also be a
nursery for young fish,
crustaceans, and other
reef organisms.
Species as Indicators of Ecosystem
Health
• Certain qualifications of species can be used
to assess the conditions of natural
ecosystems, although this varies based on the
scope or scale of the study (i.e. whether local,
national, or global scale, or whether in land-
based or water-based ecosystems).
• The value of species as biodiversity indicators
may be based on measurable ecological roles
and functions
• Keystone Species - The type on which many others depend for
biological needs such as food and shelter.
• Sensitive Species - The type which exhibit the tendency to disappear
from a site or habitat when subjected to external disturbances (i.e. they
have a narrow range of tolerance to environmental changes).
• Tolerant Species - The opposite of sensitive species, these can
withstand changes to their environment and are thus useful for
studying the impacts and consequences of the said changes on the
species itself and the ecosystem within which it exists.
• Endemic Species - In light of the exclusive nature of endemic species
within a certain area, they also serve well as indicators of habitat and
ecosystem health.
• Umbrella Species - This type of species covers those with a large
habitat or range, therefore exerting a major ecological influence on the
community.
• Flagship Species - This qualification covers species which have caught
the sympathy and support of the public, thus serving a role as an
aspirational icon for ecological conservation.
• Charismatic Species - Like flagship species, charismatic species are well
known to the public and are regarded as symbols of the conservation
agenda. The reason for their popularity is their distinctive features,
such as size, colorful appearance, and the like.
• What is the role of science and technology in
the restoration of damaged ecosystems?
Activity
• Create a concept map showing the relationship
of science and technology to biodiversity and
ecosystem.
Ecosystem Food
STS
Support
Ecosyste
m

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Organisms and

The nonliving parts of an organism’s

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