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Status of Philippine Biodiversity Megadiversity – exhibiting great biodiversity In alphabetical order, the 17 megadiverse countries are: Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Papua N...

Status of Philippine Biodiversity Megadiversity – exhibiting great biodiversity In alphabetical order, the 17 megadiverse countries are: Australia, Brazil, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, United States, Venezuela Philippines has more than 52,177 described species, half of which are endemic or found nowhere else on earth. In terms of terrestrial vertebrates, the Philippines is known to host 1,238 species of which 618 (or 50%) is endemic. Many of the island comprising the archipelago are believed to have a very high degree of land and animal species endemism covering at least 25 genera of plants and 50% of terrestrial wildlife. From 1997 to 2016, 120 species of wildlife fauna and 170 species of wildlife flora has been discovered and the number is still increasing with studies conducted by the academe, researchers and biodiversity- related funded projects. Ecosystem uniqueness is the specific combination of factors that create its environment. o Abiotic Factors: Things like climate, soil type, water availability, etc. o Biotic Factors: The types of organisms present, their relationships, and their adaptations to the environment also contribute to uniqueness. Unique Ecosystems o Rainforest is a forest in a tropical area that receives a lot of rain. A tropical woodland with an annual rainfall of at least 100 inches (254 centimeters) and marked by lofty broad- leaved evergreen trees forming a continuous canopy (Merriam-Webster). The “Key Biodiversity Area” (KBA) approach presents an appropriate framework for identifying fine-scale conservation priorities in the Philippines. Identifying KBAs in the Philippines is based on the 117 Important Bird Areas (IBA’s) identified for the country by the Haribon Foundation and Birdlife International and the 206 Conservation Priority Areas (CPAs) identified through the Philippine Biodiversity Conservation Priority-setting Program. Taxonomy is the science of naming, describing and classifying organisms and includes all plants, animals and microorganisms of the world Benefits and Threats to Philippine Biodiversity Ecosystem services is any positive benefit that wildlife or ecosystems provide to people. The benefits can be direct or indirect—small or large. Ecosystem Services Provided by Biodiversity o Provisioning services are the tangible goods harvested from the environment, including food (fruits, vegetables, fish, and livestock), wood and fiber for construction and fuel, and clean water for drinking and agriculture. o Regulating services are the benefits provided by ecosystems that manage natural processes, such as climate regulation through carbon absorption, flood management by absorbing excess rainfall, and water filtration to ensure clean supplies. o Cultural services are the ways in which nature enhances human health and well- being, including recreational opportunities (like hiking and birdwatching), educational benefits that promote environmental awareness, and spiritual connections to the natural world. o Supporting services are essential processes that enable ecosystems to function, including nutrient cycling that maintains nutrient availability, soil formation that is vital for agriculture, and habitat provision that supports biodiversity and ecological balance. Effects of Biodiversity Loss to Human Public Health Biodiversity Loss. Described as the loss of life on Earth at various levels, ranging from reductions in the genetic diversity to the collapse of entire ecosystems. Effect of Biodiversity Loss to Human Health: o Emerging Infectious Diseases Human-caused global changes, such as deforestation, extractive industries including logging and mining and urban development, are driving infectious disease emergence and spread. o Food Insecurity and Malnutrition  A diverse range of plant and animal species provides a wide array of food sources, contributing to a balanced and healthy diet. However, biodiversity loss threatens this diversity, impacting both the quantity and quality of food available. o Mental and Physical Health Nature offers a wealth of benefits for our mental and physical well-being. Biodiversity loss, however, can significantly hinder these benefits. o Ecosystem Services and Human Health Biodiversity is the foundation of healthy ecosystems, which in turn provide essential services that underpin human health. Philippine Population Growth Pre-Colonial Period: Before Spanish colonization, the population was sparse, mainly due to the scattered nature of early settlements. Spanish Period (1565-1898): Spanish colonization introduced new population trends. By 1591, the population was estimated to be around 666,712. American Period (1898-1946): The early 20th century saw significant population growth, with improved healthcare and infrastructure. By 1903, the population was around 7.6 million, and by 1946, it reached about 19.2 million. Post-World War II (1946-Present): The population saw exponential growth due to high birth rates and declining mortality rates. 1950: Approximately 19.9 million. 1970: About 36.7 million. 1990: Around 60.7 million. 2010: Approximately 92.3 million. 2020: About 109.6 million. Factors contributing to these trends include: o High Fertility Rates: The Philippines consistently had high birth rates over the decades. o Urbanization: More people moved to cities for better opportunities, leading to rapid urban population growth. o Economic and Social Changes: Improvements in healthcare, education, and economic development contributed to population growth Population Explosion in the Philippines has Several Significant Implications: o Resource Strain: The rapid increase in population has put immense pressure on natural resources. The country's biocapacity is insufficient to support the growing population, leading to a deficit in essential resources like food, water, and energy. o Urbanization: With more people moving to cities in search of better opportunities, urban areas have become overcrowded. This has led to challenges such as housing shortages, traffic congestion, and inadequate infrastructure. o Economic Impact: While a large population can be an asset, it also poses economic challenges. High population growth can strain public services and social safety nets, making it difficult to achieve sustainable economic development. o Environmental Degradation: Overpopulation has led to deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution. The encroachment on upland forests and watersheds has reduced carbon sinks, exacerbating climate change impacts.  o Health and Education: The healthcare and education systems are struggling to keep up with the growing population. Access to quality healthcare and education remains a challenge, especially in rural areas. o Migration: Many Filipinos seek better opportunities abroad, leading to a significant number of overseas Filipino workers. While remittances from these workers contribute to the economy, the separation of families and the social costs of migration are notable. o Climate Vulnerability: The concentration of people in urban areas increases the risk of natural disasters such as flooding and earthquakes. Rising temperatures and climate change further intensify these risks. Factors Affecting Population Growth o High Birth Rates The average number of children born to a woman in the country is close to four, highlighting the significant impact of high birth rates on population growth. This trend contributes to the young population structure, with a substantial portion of the population under the age of 15. o Urbanization Rapid urbanization is another key factor driving population growth. As economic development is concentrated in urban areas, people from rural regions are increasingly moving to cities in search of better opportunities. This urban-rural migration leads to an influx of people in urban centers and contributes to the overall population growth. o Labor Migration Labor migration plays a significant role in influencing population dynamics. Millions of Filipinos work abroad, seeking higher wages and better living conditions. This trend not only affects the population growth in the country but also has social and economic implications. 3 types of Population Distribution o Uniform Distribution In uniform distribution, individuals of a population are spaced more or less evenly. Can result from interference competition, when individuals take pre-emptive measures to avoid competition for resources. o Random Distribution In random dispersion, individuals are distributed randomly, without a predictable pattern. An example of random dispersion comes from dandelions and other plants that have wind-dispersed seeds. o Clumped Distribution In a clumped dispersion, individuals are clustered in groups. Population Density - the amount of people living in the area. 3 Types of Population Density o Arithmetic Density = Total Population/Total Amount of Land ❖ This type of density tells us how many people are living on each unit of length (measured in square km) ❖ If the numbers are high, it means there is more people living each other. ❖ If the numbers are small, it indicates that there are fewer people living on each unit of land. o Physiological Density = Total Population/Total Amount of Arable Land  ❖ It shows us how much food we need to produce from unit of arable land, ❖ The higher the population number the more food we need to produce, and ❖ The more we use the land the higher the risk of desertification and destroying our arable land. That is why other countries rely on imported food from other countries. o Agricultural Density = Amount of Farmers/Total Amount of Arable Land ❖ It shows us how advance the technology in agriculture is or how efficient a society is at producing food, ❖ The higher the number is the more manual labor a society is using to produce food, which would indicate that there is less technology in agriculture or less effective agricultural practices being utilize. ❖ The lower the number is the less human labor is needed which would indicates more efficient agricultural practices and technology. Climate Change & Global Warming Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. Natural Causes: o Continental Drift the separation of the landmasses changed the flow of ocean currents and wind which affected the climate. o Volcanoes Human Causes o Construction o Transportation o Consumption I think tanan topic sunod ani kay madala ra ug common sense.