Biodiversity

• Biodiversity

  Contraction of the words "biological diversity"
• Diversity


  The range of variations or differences among some set of entities
• Biodiversity is generally considered as an 'Umbrella term' referring to organisms found within the living world
• Biodiversity

  The number, variety of life and variability of living organisms
• The variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia (among other things), terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems
• Elements of Biodiversity


  • Predicted number of total species varies from 5 to 50 million and averages at 14 million
  • Out of the total known species, about 60 % are insects, about 16 % are higher plants and only about 0.3 % are mammals
  • The most unique feature of Earth is the existence of life and the most extraordinary feature of life is its diversity
• Levels of Biodiversity

  • Genetic diversity
  • Species diversity
  • Ecosystem diversity
• Genetic Diversity


  The diversity within the species or intra or infra species diversity, encompassing the components of genetic coding that structures organisms (nucleotides, genes, chromosomes) and variation in the genetic make-up between individuals within a population and between populations
• Genetic Diversity


  If a species has more genetic diversity, it can adapt better to the changed environmental conditions. Lower diversity in a species leads to uniformity and the amount of genetic variation is the basis of speciation (evolution of new species)
• Species Diversity


  The variety of living species within a geographic area, where each species plays a specific role in an ecosystem
• Ecological Diversity


  The variation in ecosystems such as deserts, grasslands, forests, oceans, and wetlands. Within each ecosystem, there is a great deal of both species and genetic diversity
• Uses of Biodiversity

  • Food
  • Medicine
  • Biological control
  • Industrial materials
  • Recreational harvesting and ecotourism
• Medicinal plants approved by the DOH

  • Allium sativum (Garlic/Bawang)
  • Blumea balsamifera (Nagal camphor/sambong)
  • Momordica charantia (Bitter Melon/Ampalaya)
  • Psidium guajava (Guava/Bayabas)
  • Vitex negundo (Five-leaved Chaste Tree/lagundi)
• Animals as source products

  Anticoagulants, coagulants, vasodilator agents and for models on which to test potentially useful drugs or techniques
• Biological control


  Vector Control using biological agent
• Industrial materials


  Building materials, fibers, dyes, resins, adhesives, rubber, oils and waxes, agricultural chemicals (including pesticides) and perfumes
• Recreational harvesting


  Harvesting of animals (e.g. fish, reptiles, birds, mammals) for display and as pets
• Threats to Biodiversity

  • Habitat loss and destruction
  • Alterations in ecosystem composition
  • Over-exploitation
  • Pollution and contamination
  • Global climate change
• Even with the development of science and technology at present, we still have a lot to learn about biodiversity, more so about the consequences of biodiversity loss
• Every species in the ecosystems has significant roles... disturbing their distribution will surely affect its nutrient cycles and soil contents, and influence environmental conditions such as water cycles, weather patterns, climate and other abiotic aspects
• Nutritional Impact of Biodiversity


  Biodiversity is a vital element of a human being's nutrition because of its influence to food production. Biodiversity is a major factor that contributes to sustainable food production for human beings
• A society or a population must have access to a sufficient variety of nutritious food as it is a determinant of their health as human beings
• Health


  The most essential human right, overall wellness that secures our physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and social aspects. Health is a reliable indicator for the country's sustainable development
• How biodiversity affects human health

  • Biodiversity helps secure food, health, and livelihood for people
  • Biodiversity serves as a rich source of materials for medical research
  • Biodiversity provides abundant resources for traditional and modern medicine
  • Biodiversity helps in the control and prevention of infectious diseases
  • Biodiversity serves important roles for the communities' cultural, spiritual, and social growth

  
• Almost all living organisms are dependent to their environment to live and reproduce. Basic needs of living organisms such as air, water, food and habitat are provided by its environment
• Environmental hazards increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, asthma, and many other illnesses. These hazards can be physical, such as pollution, toxic chemicals and food contaminants or they can also be social, such as dangerous work, poor housing conditions, urban sprawl and poverty
• We are facing an unprecedented biodiversity crisis that threatens the very future of humanity. Species numbers have collapsed around us, and once they go extinct, they will be gone forever
• While the issue of biodiversity loss can seem overwhelming and hopeless, there are steps that every one of us can take to help. By changing our lifestyle and to take the issue seriously, we can somehow prevent the further destruction of biodiversity
• the father of biodiversity Edward O. Wilson (an eminent entomologist) first coined this term in 1986
• Interaction is the principal intrinsic mechanism that shapes the characteristics and functions of biodiversity
• Genetic Diversity referred as the diversity within the species or intra or infra species diversity.
• Ecological Diversity is the largest scale of biodiversity
• Habitat loss and destruction. Major contributing factor is the inhabitation of human beings and the use of land for economic gains.
• Alterations in ecosystem composition. Alterations and sudden changes either within the species groups or within the environment, could begin to damage the ecosystems.
• Over-exploitation. Over-hunting, over-fishing or over-collecting of species can quickly lead to its decline. Changing consumption patterns of humans is often cited as the key reason for this unsustainable exploitation of natural resources.
• Pollution and contamination. Biological systems respond slowly to changes in their surrounding environment. Pollution and contamination cause irreversible damage to species and varieties.
• Global climate change. Both climate variability and climate change cause biodiversity loss. Species and populations may be lost permanently if they are not provided with enough time to adapt to changing climatic conditions.
• However, the basic concept about biodiversity loss was from Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace.
• Biodiversity helps secure food, health, and livelihood for people.
• Biodiversity serves as a rich source of materials for medical research.