LOSS OF BIODIVERSITY

• Biodiversity loss


  Decrease in the diversity of life forms, including plants, animals, within an ecosystem or across the entire planet
• Biodiversity loss can lead to the disruption of ecosystems and can affect the overall balance of nature
• The Philippines is among the Top 10 nations in the world with the largest number of species under the threat of extinction
• Under the Department Administrative Order (DAO) 2004-15 issued by the Secretary of the DENR, 145 threatened wildlife species were listed on the List of Terrestrial Threatened Species
• Major causes of Biodiversity loss in the Philippines

  • Habitat loss
  • Pollution (land, air, and water)
  • Invasive Species
  • Overexploitation of resources
  • Climate change
• Habitat loss

  • Palawan is one of the Philippines' most biodiverse areas, home to almost 25% of all animal species in the nation and two World Heritage sites: the Tubbataha Reef and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River
• 28% of the world's plastic-polluted waterways are found in the Philippines
• The Philippines is one of the biggest plastic pollutants on the planet, with 0.28 to 0.75 million tons of plastic escaping into the waters each year from coastal locations in Manila Bay together with hundreds of thousands of tons of plastic waste that are dumped in the country's rivers
• Invasive species


  Animals or plants that originate in another part of the world and do not belong in their new environment
• Most common invasive species in the Philippines

  • Janitor fish, native to South America, likely reached the freshwater systems of the Philippine archipelago when aquarium enthusiasts freed their pets
• Deforestation in El Nido, Palawan, leads to overexploitation of resources for agricultural purposes, contributing to biodiversity loss, soil erosion, landslides, and higher heat
• The Philippines is highly susceptible to climate change, causing extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and extreme rainfall
• Over half of the Philippines' greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy sector, agriculture, industrial processes, waste, and land-use change
• Rising temperatures


  Pose a severe threat to the Philippines' coral reefs, leading to coral bleaching, a process where corals expel their symbiotic algae, increasing their susceptibility to disease and death
• Climate change affects rainfall patterns


  Leads to irregular and extreme precipitation events in the Philippines, disrupting the delicate balance of ecosystems, affecting both terrestrial and freshwater habitats
• As temperatures rise

  Species are forced to adapt to new conditions, potentially leading to loss of local populations, disrupting ecosystem dynamics, predator-prey relationships, and resource availability
• Major consequences of Biodiversity loss

  • Ecosystem Instability
  • Species Extinction
  • Loss of Ecosystem Services
  • Decreased Resilience to Climate Change
  • Impact on Food Security
• Ecosystem Instability

  A state when an ecosystem is unable to adjust with environmental changes, occurring due to natural disasters or manmade activities
• Species Extinction


  Occurs when species are diminished because of environmental forces
• Loss of Ecosystem Services


  The direct and indirect contributions ecosystems (known as natural capital) provide for human wellbeing and quality of life
• Deforestation and habitat degradation


  Affect the survival of plant and animal species, posing a threat to the Philippines' ability to withstand natural disasters
• Biodiversity loss in the Philippines


  Can have significant impacts on the country's food security by diminishing the variety of available food sources, leading to nutritional deficiencies, and increasing vulnerability to environmental stresses impacting food production
• Solutions to Biodiversity loss

  • Government Restrictions
  • Protection of Species
  • Save Energy
  • Stop Deforestation
  • Protection of Habitat
• Government Restrictions


  Implementing regulations and policies that protect ecosystems and species
• Protection of Species


  Preserving endangered species safeguards the intricate balance of our planet's life, ensuring a healthier and more secure future for ecosystems and people
• Save Energy


  Reducing habitat destruction, pollution, resource depletion, and climate change
• Stop Deforestation


  Preserving our forests can help combat climate change, protect endangered species, and maintain the delicate balance of our ecosystems
• Protection of Habitat


  Habitats provide essential resources and shelter for a wide range of species