Biodiversity is a term used to describe the enormous variety of life on Earth. It can be used more specifically to refer to all of the species in one region or ecosystem. Biodiversity refers to every living thing, including plants, bacteria, animals, and humans. Scientists have estimated that there are around 8.7 million species of plants and animals in existence. However, only around 1.2 million species have been identified and described so far, most of which are insects. This means that millions of other organisms remain a complete mystery.
Over generations, all of the species that are currently alive today have evolved unique traits that make them distinct from other species. These differences are what scientists use to tell one species from another. Organisms that have evolved to be so different from one another that they can no longer reproduce with each other are considered different species. All organisms that can reproduce with each other fall into one species.
Scientists are interested in how much biodiversity there is on a global scale, given that there is still so much biodiversity to discover. They also study how many species exist in single ecosystems, such as a forest, grassland, tundra, or lake. A single grassland can contain a wide range of species, from beetles to snakes to antelopes. Ecosystems that host the most biodiversity tend to have ideal environmental conditions for plant growth, like the warm and wet climate of tropical regions. Ecosystems can also contain species too small to see with the naked eye. Looking at samples of soil or water through a microscope reveals a whole world of bacteria and other tiny organisms.
Some areas in the world, such as areas of Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, the southwestern United States, and Madagascar, have more biodiversity than others. Areas with extremely high levels of biodiversity are called hotspots. Endemic species—species that are only found in one particular location—are also found in hotspots.
All of the Earth’s species work together to survive and maintain their ecosystems. For example, the grass in pastures feeds cattle. Cattle then produce manure that returns nutrients to the soil, which helps to grow more grass. This manure can also be used to fertilize cropland. Many species provide important benefits to humans, including food, clothing, and medicine.
Much of the Earth’s biodiversity, however, is in jeopardy due to human consumption and other activities that disturb and even destroy ecosystems. Pollution, climate change, and population growth are all threats to biodiversity. These threats have caused an unprecedented rise in the rate of species extinction. Some scientists estimate that half of all species on Earth will be wiped out within the next century. Conservation efforts are necessary to preserve biodiversity and protect endangered species and their habitats.
22. GROUP 1
1. What are the biotic
components of the
ecosystem shown in picture
A?
2. What are the biotic
components of the
ecosystem shown in picture
B?
3. Which picture shows high
biodiversity? Why?
4. Which ecosystem can
withstand pest attacks?
Why?
5. What are the advantages of
A
B
23. GROUP 2
1. What are the biotic
components of the
ecosystem shown in picture
A?
2. What are the biotic
components of the
ecosystem shown in picture
B?
3. Which picture shows high
biodiversity? Why?
4. Which ecosystem can
ensure food security? Why?
5. What are the advantages of
high biodiversity?
A
B
24. GROUP 3
1. What are the biotic
components of the
ecosystem shown in picture
A?
2. What are the biotic
components of the
ecosystem shown in picture
B?
3. Which picture shows high
biodiversity? Why?
4. Which ecosystem can
provide protection against
extreme weather conditions
to nearby communities?
A
B
25. Discussion
Why did you consider these as low
biodiversity?
These have a few prominent species and a low
number of other species within the habitat.
26. Discussion
Can you think of other examples of places
with low biodiversity?
Denuded forest
Polluted marine areas
Highly urbanized areas
27. Discussion
Why did you consider these as high
biodiversity?
These have high biodiversity since these have
high number of different species.
28. Discussion
Can you think of other examples of places
with high biodiversity?
Marine protected areas
Tropical rainforests
Mangrove forests
29. Discussion
Group 1.
Why is high biodiversity
advantageous in maintaining
the ecosystem stability?
By ensuring that there are multiple sources of
food to support the food web despite pest attacks.
High biodiversity gives natural protection for
certain species to avoid extinction.
30. Discussion
• When pest attacks, other plants, and animals can
serve as natural pesticides or insecticides.
• In low biodiversity, as in the case of sugarcane
farms, the sugarcane plant is left on its own to
protect itself.
• Otherwise, the sugarcane plants will die and
eventually affect sugar production in the
community. The farmer will also be losing in his
agricultural venture.
• With high biodiversity, when one plant is affected
by pests, other plants can serve as food sources.
Hence, the food web will not be severely
affected.
31. Discussion
Group 2.
Why is high biodiversity
advantageous in maintaining
the ecosystem stability?
High biodiversity maintains the stability of the
ecosystem by providing a conducive habitat for all
life forms. High biodiversity ensures several food
sources are available to sustain the food chain.
32. Discussion
• High biodiversity maintains the stability of the
ecosystem by providing a habitat that allows
animals and plants to grow through their life
stages.
• They can reproduce and function well in the
ecosystem when their habitats are conducive.
• High biodiversity safeguards food security.
33. Discussion
Group 3.
Why is high biodiversity
advantageous in maintaining
the ecosystem stability?
High biodiversity maintains the stability of the
ecosystem by protecting other biotic components
of the environment against extreme weather
conditions.
34. Discussion
• High biodiversity maintains the stability of the
ecosystem by protecting human settlements and
other natural resources from the devastation
caused by extreme weather conditions.
• For instance, mangroves can serve as a buffer of
nearby communities from storm surge.
36. Keeping biodiverse ecosystems intact helps humans stay healthy.
Research indicates a close link between disease outbreaks and the degradation of
nature.
Seventy percent of emerging viral diseases have spread from animals to humans.
As the global wildlife trade continues and development projects expand deeper into
tropical forests, humans are increasing their exposure to wild animals — and the
diseases they may carry. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic can likely be
sourced to a wild animal and fish market in Wuhan, China. This shows that we
must take care of nature to take care of ourselves.
Deforestation is also accelerating climate breakdown, which may boost the spread
of disease by allowing disease carriers like mosquitoes to extend their geographic
ranges and infect new populations of humans.
With COVID-19, we’ve seen the damage that diseases can do to human health and
the global economy. By protecting biodiversity in Earth’s ecosystems, countries
could save lives and money while helping to prevent future pandemics.
37. What are the advantages of high
biodiversity in maintaining the
stability of the ecosystem?
38. Biodiversity is an essential part of the solution to climate change.
In a landmark study published in 2017, a group of researchers led by Bronson Griscom, who
researches natural climate solutions at Conservation International, discovered that nature can
deliver at least 30 percent of the emissions reductions needed by 2030 to prevent climate
catastrophe. Protecting biodiversity plays a crucial part in achieving these emissions reductions.
The destruction of forest ecosystems is responsible for 11 percent of all global greenhouse gas
emissions caused by humans, so conserving forests would stop the release of these gases into
the atmosphere. Trees and plants also store carbon in their tissue, making it even more
necessary to protect them.
Some ecosystems, such as mangroves, are particularly good at storing carbon and keeping it out
of the atmosphere — where it contributes to climate change. Forests and wetland ecosystems
provide crucial buffers to extreme storms and flooding related to climate change. These
ecosystems are complex, which means they function best, and are more resilient to the effects of
climate change, when all the pieces of the ecosystem are in place — meaning the biodiversity is
intact.
“For a relatively small investment, high-biodiversity forests and other ecosystems can be
conserved and restored as a powerful means to rein in climate change while also helping
communities cope with associated storms, flooding and other impacts,” Langrand said.
39. What are the advantages of high
biodiversity in maintaining the
stability of the ecosystem?
40. High biodiversity support healthy ecosystems that we rely on.
Conservation researchers Paul R. and Anne Ehrlich posited in the 1980s that species are
to ecosystems what rivets are to a plane’s wing. Losing one might not be a disaster, but
each loss adds to the likelihood of a serious problem.
Whether in a village in the Amazon or a metropolis such as Beijing, humans depend on
the services ecosystems provide, such as fresh water, pollination, soil fertility and
stability, food and medicine. Ecosystems weakened by the loss of biodiversity are less
likely to deliver those services, especially given the needs of an ever-growing human
population.
One example of this is Kenya’s Lake Turkana — the world’s largest desert lake, a habitat
for a variety of wildlife including birds, Nile crocodiles and hippos and a source of food
and income for about 300,000 people. The lake is under heavy pressure because of
overfishing, cyclical drought, changing rainfall patterns and the diversion of water by
upstream developments, and these changes are leading to a loss of biodiversity,
declines in fisheries’ yields and a reduced ability to support humans. Without
conservation methods in place, this could be the fate of many more ecosystems.
41. What are the advantages of high
biodiversity in maintaining the
stability of the ecosystem?
42.
43. Can this project support high
biodiversity, which can
maintain the stability of the
ecosystem? Why or why not?
44. Participate in environmental activities such
as tree-planting, tree-growing, and coastal
clean-up.
Reuse, reduce and recycle resources as
much as possible.
Educate the young to spread and increase
awareness.
46. Direction. Read each question carefully.
Write the letter of the correct answer.
1. Which has high biodiversity?
A. Protected mangrove area
B. Oil spill-affected coastal area
C. Denuded forest
D. Highly urbanized city
47. Direction. Read each question carefully. Write
the letter of the correct answer.
2. An area has low biodiversity if
A. there are a few prominent species and a low
number of other species within the habitat
B. it has a high number of different species
C. the ecosystem is not dependent on technology
D. it has so many producers and consumers
48. Direction. Read each question carefully. Write
the letter of the correct answer.
3. Which is not an advantage of high biodiversity?
A. Protection against extreme weather conditions
B. Food security
C. Natural safeguards against pest
D. More natural resource for exploitation
49. Direction. Read each question carefully. Write
the letter of the correct answer.
4. High biodiversity can maintain the stability of
ecosystem by
A. Preventing species extinction
B. Minimizing the effects of climate change
C. Safeguarding humans from future pandemic
D. All of the above
50. Direction. Read each question carefully. Write
the letter of the correct answer.
5. Which activity does not positively contribute to
high biodiversity?
A. Conversion of forests into subdivisions
B. Creation of marine protected areas
C. Strict implementation of environmental laws
D. Strong environmental education in schools
52. Direction. Read each question carefully.
Write the letter of the correct answer.
1. Which has high biodiversity?
A. Protected mangrove area
B. Oil spill-affected coastal area
C. Denuded forest
D. Highly urbanized city
53. Direction. Read each question carefully. Write
the letter of the correct answer.
2. An area has low biodiversity if
A. there are a few prominent species and a low
number of other species within the habitat
B. it has a high number of different species
C. the ecosystem is not dependent on technology
D. it has so many producers and consumers
54. Direction. Read each question carefully. Write
the letter of the correct answer.
3. Which is not an advantage of high biodiversity?
A. Protection against extreme weather conditions
B. Food security
C. Natural safeguards against pest
D. More natural resource for exploitation
55. Direction. Read each question carefully. Write
the letter of the correct answer.
4. High biodiversity can maintain the stability of
ecosystem by
A. Preventing species extinction
B. Minimizing the effects of climate change
C. Safeguarding humans from future pandemic
D. All of the above
56. Direction. Read each question carefully. Write
the letter of the correct answer.
5. Which activity does not positively contribute to
high biodiversity?
A. Conversion of forests into subdivisions
B. Creation of marine protected areas
C. Strict implementation of environmental laws
D. Strong environmental education in schools
