ENVI SCI: Mod 3 Biodiversity

Biodiversity

The variety of life in the world, or in a particular habitat/ecosystem, measured at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels.

Genetic Diversity

The variety of genetic material within a species or a population.

Species Diversity

The number and abundance of species present in different communities.

Ecosystem Diversity

The variety of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems found in an area or on Earth.

Ecosystem Goods (Direct Benefits)

Tangible products provided by nature such as food, clothing, shelter, and medicine.

Ecosystem Services (Indirect Benefits)

Nature's processes including climate regulation, soil protection, water maintenance, and aesthetic/educational values.

Health (WHO definition)

A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

Human Microbiota

Symbiotic microbial communities in the gut, skin, and tracts that assist nutrition, immune regulation, and infection prevention.

Ecological Integrity

An ecosystem's ability to maintain persistence and adaptability over time.

Healthy Ecosystem

An ecosystem that maintains its structure and function under stress and repairs itself with minimal human intervention.

Degraded Ecosystem

An unhealthy ecosystem that has lost its integrity, deteriorated, and cannot maintain its functions over time.

Signs of Terrestrial Unhealthiness

Decline in species diversity, alien species replacing native ones, disease/pest outbreaks, and loss of plant root symbionts.

Economic Approach

Reforestation, Natural Regeneration, Agroforestry

Species Approach

Applying conservation actions focused on providing for individual species or groups of species with common needs or common ecological characteristics.

Lowland Rainforest

Most degraded Philippine forest type due to timber/non-timber over-harvesting; supports 200–300 woody species.

Montane (Mossy) Forest

"Cloud forest" dominated by oak and laurel families, ferns, and epiphytes, covered in rain clouds.

Pine Forest

Forest type dominated by fire-tolerant species like Benguet Pine (Cordillera) or Mindoro Pine.

Coastal (Mangrove) Forest

Evergreen woody trees (Rhizophora, Avicennia) adapted to varying salinity levels along shorelines.

Beach Forest

Narrow strip of coastal vegetation dominated by Terminalia catappa, Casuarina equisetifolia, and Acacia farnesiana.

Karst Forest

Special forest type formed on limestone landscapes in coastal areas.

Reforestation

Replanting trees and/or using exotic species to restore degraded forests.

Natural Regeneration

Allowing a forest to recover on its own through natural succession.

Agroforestry

Land management system where trees/shrubs are grown around or among crops or pastureland.

Environmental Indicators

Biological, physical, chemical, or socio-economic parameters used to assess ecosystem quality and sustainability.

Keystone Species

Species on which many others depend for survival needs like food and shelter (e.g., top predators, ecosystem engineers).

Sensitive Species

Species with a narrow range of tolerance that disappear quickly when habitats are disturbed (e.g., ground-nesting birds).

Tolerant Species

Species capable of withstanding environmental changes, useful for studying disturbance impacts (e.g., green mussels).

Endemic Species

Species found exclusively in a specific geographical area, acting as key indicators of ecosystem health.

Umbrella Species

Species requiring large habitat ranges whose protection indirectly protects many other species (e.g., Philippine eagle).

Flagship Species

Popular, iconic species used to leverage public sympathy and support for conservation (e.g., tamaraw, giraffe).

Charismatic Species

Famous species with distinctive features (size, appearance) that serve as popular symbols for conservation (e.g., panda, elephant).

HIPPCO

Acronym for major threats to biodiversity: Habitat destruction, Invasive species, Population growth, Pollution, Climate change, Overexploitation.

In-situ Conservation

Protecting species within their natural habitats or genetic reserve environments (e.g., protected areas).

Ex-situ Conservation

Conserving biodiversity outside natural habitats (e.g., seed banks, zoos), prioritizing endangered or extinct-in-the-wild species.

NIPAS Act of 1992 (RA 7586)

Legal framework establishing and managing Protected Areas in the Philippines for biodiversity and sustainable development.

IUCN Red List

Global comprehensive database evaluating the conservation status and extinction risk of animal, plant, and fungal species.

CITES

International agreement using trade measures to protect endangered species of flora and fauna.

Provisioning

Water, Food, Medicine, Raw materials

Regulating

Flood control, Climate regulation, Cleaning water and air, Pollination

Cultural

Aesthetics, Spirituality, Recreation, Education

Supporting

Soil formation, Biodiversity, Habitat, Photosynthesis