MODULE 12: BIODIVERSITY AND HEALTHY SOCIETY

Summary

This presentation explores the vital concept of biodiversity and its importance to a healthy society. It defines biodiversity at three levels: genetic, species, and ecological diversity, and highlights its role in providing essential resources like food, clean air, and environmental services. The discussion extends to the status of biodiversity in the Philippines, the threats it faces such as habitat destruction and pollution, and conservation efforts. It concludes with the significance of evolution in shaping biodiversity and encourages individual action to protect natural resources.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of living organisms, encompassing genetic, species, and ecological diversity.
• 🌍 Genetic diversity increases a population's resilience, enabling adaptation to new environments.
• 🐞 Species diversity includes the variety of organisms in a specific area and is crucial for ecosystem balance.
• 🌊 Ecological diversity encompasses various ecosystems, both terrestrial and aquatic, contributing to overall biodiversity.
• 💧 Biodiversity provides essential services, such as food, clean water, and natural resources for human survival.
• 🇵🇭 The Philippines is a mega-diverse country, recognized for its rich biodiversity, which is vital for economic development and environmental services.
• 🛑 Habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, exploitation of species, and overpopulation are significant threats to biodiversity.
• 📜 There are laws and policies in the Philippines aimed at protecting biodiversity, but individual actions are also important for conservation.
• 🔬 Advances in technology, such as cell and tissue culture and cryopreservation, can help conserve biodiversity.
• 🔄 Evolution is the key mechanism driving biodiversity, with both natural and artificial selection playing crucial roles.

Q & A

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of living organisms, encompassing the number of species and genetic diversity within ecosystems.

What are the three levels of biodiversity?

The three levels of biodiversity are genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecological diversity.

Why is genetic diversity important?

Genetic diversity enhances a population's ability to adapt to new environments and resist diseases, thereby increasing its chances of survival.

What does species diversity entail?

Species diversity involves the variety of different species within a particular area, including the number of species (species richness) and their relative abundance (species evenness).

Can you provide examples of ecosystems included in ecological diversity?

Ecological diversity includes various terrestrial ecosystems like tropical rainforests and deserts, as well as aquatic ecosystems like lakes, rivers, and oceans.

What are some benefits of biodiversity to humans?

Biodiversity provides essential resources such as food, clothing, shelter, medicines, and contributes to economic and environmental well-being.

What is the status of biodiversity in the Philippines?

The Philippines is considered a mega-diverse country with rich biodiversity, being one of the world's biodiversity hotspots and facing significant conservation challenges.

What are some threats to biodiversity mentioned in the transcript?

Threats include habitat destruction, pollution, global climate change, exploitation of animals, and overpopulation.

How can individuals help conserve biodiversity?

Individuals can conserve biodiversity by managing waste, reducing plastic use, conserving water, and planting trees.

What technological methods are used to conserve biodiversity?

Technological methods include cell and tissue culture for rapid multiplication of organisms, cryopreservation for storing biological materials, and advances in molecular biology to analyze species.