BIODIVERSITY

A. Biodiversity - is the variability among living organisms from all sources including, terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems.

B. Types of Biodiversity

  1. Genetic Diversity

    • Members of the same species or population have basically the same genetic composition that gives them their universal characteristics.

    • The differences in the genetic composition of individuals belonging to the same species.

  2. Species Diversity

    • If we look at a particular area and count the number of different species that live there, we are looking at species richness.

    • If we look at a particular area and count the number of different species, as well as the abundance of individuals per species that live there, we are looking at species diversity

  3. Ecosystem Diversity

    • includes the varieties and variabilities in BOTH abiotic and biotic components that undergo interactions

    • The variety of ecosystems that are present in the biosphere.

C. Patterns of Biodiversity
- pertain to the extent and distribution of all components of biodiversity in space (spatial) and in time (temporal). The trend in this biodiversity distribution is referred to as the pattern. What governs these patterns? There are several natural and anthropogenic factors that affect biodiversity, as well as multiple indicators for biodiversity, which makes it difficult to determine exactly the biodiversity in a particular area. Nonetheless, with knowledge of how external factors affect survival, we can have a fairly reliable approximation of the patterns of biodiversity.

  1. Spatial Pattern

    - remember that the survival of organisms depends on both abiotic and biotic factors, collectively called external factors

    - spatial patterns in biodiversity are therefore determined by the characteristics and types of external factors in that particular area.

    - It explains that diversity increases as we move closer to the equator. (kasi tropical)

a. Latitude Gradient (higa)
- starting from the equatorial region are the tropical, temperate, and polar regions.
- As the latitude increases, diversity decreases.
- Latitudinal Diversity Gradient (LDG)

b. Altitudinal/Elevation Gradient
- It explains that diversity decreases as elevation increases.

  1. Temporal Pattern

    - the environment is not stagnant, it is constantly changing

    - organisms respond to these changes, and adapt or at least try to

D. Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

  1. Provisioning Services

    - Material benefits that can be extracted from nature

    - ex: Food, wood, water

  2. Cultural Services

    - Non-material benefits: Usually used for aesthetic inspiration, tourism, cultural identity and spiritual experiences. Provides us aesthetic, educational, recreational and spiritual services

    - ex: Forest, Northern Blooms, Ocean Parks

  3. Regulating Services

    - Refers to processes that serve to maintain a clean, sustainable and balanced environment.

    - ex: Pollination, waste decomposition

  4. Supporting Services

    - The most fundamental of all services, without which, provisional, cultural, and regulating services would not exist

    - It is the basis for other ecosystem services.

    - It provides habitat for different life forms, retains biodiversity, nutrient cycling, and other services for supporting life on the earth

E. Examples of Ecosystem Services

  1. Mangrove Ecosystem Services

  2. Cordillera Ecosystem Services
    - known as the Watershed Cradle of North Philippines

  3. Bioremediation and Biodegradation
    - examples of ecosystem services provided by microorganisms, from marine and terrestrial sources, which produce useful enzymes for industry, agriculture, bioenergy, bioremediation, and waste recycling

KEY CONCEPT: Ecosystem services are free and infinite but should never be taken for granted if we are to maintain both our well-being and the health of our planet.

F. Threats to Biodiversity

  1. Habitat Loss and Fragmentation

    - urbanization is the primary cause of habitat loss and fragmentation

  2. Over-exploitation for commercialization

    - the rate of harvest is faster than the rate of reproduction, an unsustainable use of biodiversity

  3. Invasive Species

    - are the species that are new to a habitat, which were brought or introduced in that area directly or indirectly

  4. Pollution

    - An unusual increase in substances in the environment is considered a pollutant

  5. Climate Change

    - All organisms require optimal environmental conditions for normal growth and development. This is the basis for the spatial pattern of biodiversity.

  6. Population Growth and Overconsumption

  7. Illegal Wildlife Trade

G. Conservation of Biodiversity
- A balance between the environment, development, and society results in sustainable development which ensures biodiversity conservation.

  1. In-situ Conservation

    - conservation and protection of species, especially the endangered ones, in their natural habitat, either by cleaning up the habitat itself, or by defending the species from predators.

    - ex: National Parks, Protected Landscape and Seascape, and Wildlife Sanctuary

    - natural habitats of organisms

  2. Ex-situ Conservation

    - Conservation and protection of species, especially the endangered ones, outside their natural habitat

    - man-made habitats