MODULE II o Protection of water resources

(BIODIVERSITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT) o Soils formation and protection

o Nutrient storage and recycling
o Pollution breakdown and
This module presents the foundation of absorption
biological diversity, ecosystem and o Contribution to climate stability
sustainability. It also includes the relation of o Maintenance of ecosystems
human population and other species, o Recovery from unpredictable
urbanization, and the environment. events

Lesson 1 ● Biological resources, such as

o Food
Biodiversity o Medicinal remedies and
pharmaceutical drugs
Biodiversity, is a vast range of living o Wood products
things; the plants, animals and other o Ornamental plants
organisms which contribute to the o Breeding stocks, population
enhancement of natural ecosystems as well reservoirs
as the health and stability of the world. All o Future resources
have an essential role to play. No matter how o Diversity in genes, species and
minute or big an organism is, we depend on ecosystems
innumerable species directly for basic needs ● Social benefits, such as
such as food, shelter, clothing, medicine, o Research, education and
breeding stocks and future resources for monitoring
everything. In other words, biodiversity o Recreation and tourism
ensures natural sustainability and survival for o Cultural values
all life on Earth.
FACTORS THAT AFFECTS BIODIVERSITY
It is virtually synonymous with "Life on
earth". Diversity of species varies significantly from
place to place and depends on several
Biologists most often define "biological interrelated factors.
diversity" or "biodiversity" as the "totality of
genes, species and ecosystems of a region". Factors are:
It includes deserts, rainforests, coral reefs,
grasslands, tundra, and polar ice caps. 1. Overexploitation
Overexploitation – is harvesting species faster
than population can replenish themselves.

IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY Overhunting, overfishing, overconsumption

and over-harvesting contribute significantly to
Biodiversity is significant to the welfare of environmental degradation and eventually the
our planet. Most cultures, have recognized reduction of biodiversity, killing off numerous
the importance of conserving/preserving species ,poaching and other forms of hunting
natural resources for profit increase the risk of extinction; the
extinction of an apex predator – or , a
A healthy biodiversity provides several predator at the top of a food chain- can result
essential services for everyone like the in catastrophic consequences for ecosystems.
following :
2. Deforestation and habitat loss
● Ecosystem services, such as
Deforestation, the clearing or clear-cutting of prey upon or interbreed with native and
forests loss is a direct cause of loss and domesticated species in their new
extinction of biodiversity. Million acres of ecosystem.
forest are lost due to logging, agriculture, IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY
mining and other human practices, destroying
the ecosystems on which many species Preserving biodiversity is an extraordinary
depend. challenge that must be met by greater
Besides, habitat loss and fragmentation due to understanding of biodiversity itself, changes
development, urbanization, infrastructure and in human behavior, beliefs practices and
pollution has a massive impact on biodiversity various preservation strategies.
as human populations continue to increase.
The reasons to maintain biodiversity are as
3. Pollution follows –

Pollution is the introduction of contaminants

or harmful materials to the environment 1. Ecological Reasons :
which alter and destroy habitats and species Biodiversity is of vital importance to maintain
in numerous ways. the stability of our ecosystems. Every species
One major-source of pollution is industries has a specific niche, a particular role and
dumping waste into large bodies of water. function in the environment. Roles include
Water and hazardous waste materials affect producing organic material, capturing,
the environment. It impacts organisms by sequestering and storing energy, providing
killing them, weakening them and affecting food, predation, decomposing organic matter,
their ability to function. cycling water and nutrients, controlling pests,
From dumping of billion pounds of plastic preventing erosion, regulating the climate,
into the ocean to burning of fossil fuels each adding to soil fertility, pollination and for
year, pollution completely disrupts the worlds' plant growth. Removal of any species may
ecosystems. significantly affect others, for most species
are interdependent upon each other for
4. Climate change survival.
● Pollinators provide significant
Changing climate regionally or globally have environmental and economical benefits
altered the ecosystem and the species. For to natural ecosystems, including adding
environment is a significant factor in the diversity producing our food and plant-
distribution of species across the globe; based industrial products. As many as
climate forces them to migrate to places one-third of the world's food
where temperature are more conducive, production relies directly or indirectly
however, many species can not cope, causing on insect pollination.
them to die. Rapid man-made climate ● Transpiration of plants contribute to
change speed up the process without the water cycle - provides water for
affording ecosystems and species the time to drinking and irrigation
adapt. ● Rainforests contribute both to the
process of soil formation and the
5. Invasive Species regulation of climate through
photosynthesis – both producing oxygen
Non- native, or alien species are plants, (O2) and absorbing carbon dioxide
animals or other organisms transferred from (CO2). Wetlands serves as sponge-like
one ecosystem to another, either intentionally reservoirs in dry weather and help in
or unintentionally. They pose a threat to filtering and purifying water.
biodiversity when they possess adaptations Mangrove swamps and coral reefs
that help them out to dominate, compete,
 guards the land they surround by species becomes extinct or its genetic
reduction effects of erosion. diversity is lost, we will never know whether
● Clean air: From old-growth forests to research would have given us a new vaccine,
ocean phytoplankton, the oxygen we medicine or drug.
breathe is generated by
photosynthesizing members of ● Higher biodiversity has also been linked
ecosystems around the world. Plants to lower instance of diseases, with
also absorb a variety of pollutants and studies finding lower human rates of
toxicants from the air, and Lyme disease, malaria, acute
sequestering the excess carbon dioxide respiratory infection and diarrhea
emissions that fuel climate change. around protected natural areas.
● Clean water: Forests help soil absorb ● Both medicinal plants and
more water, which can filter out manufactured pharmaceuticals rely on
contaminants and refill aquifers. biodiversity. In developing new
● Healthy soil: Soil naturally bustles with medicines, modern researchers are
lots of arthropods, bacteria and other looking more and more towards our
microorganisms, which are easy to natural biological resources. This
overlook but provide a wide range of inspiration is especially prevalent in
benefits. They provide food for more rain forests, biodiversity hotspots that
massive creatures, help nutrients cycle, contain half of all known species. For
boost nutrient availability to roots and example, the asthma drug theophylline
enhance plant health, among other from cacao trees and about 70 percent
things. of plants with cancer-fighting
properties occur only in rain forests.
● Many marine species use chemical-
2) Conserving Biological Diversity in based, defense mechanisms, rich
Agricultural Systems: source of new and economically
essential medicines.
high agricultural productivity and
human health alike depend on the activity of
a diverse natural biota. Food production relies 4) Economic Reasons:
on biodiversity for food plants, pollination,
pest control, nutrient provision, genetic ● The higher the diversity in an
diversity, and disease prevention. ecosystem the greater the potential for
● Without the presence of natural the manufacture of products in the
enemies, crop losses by pests in future. Large scale habitat and
agriculture and forestry would become biodiversity losses mean that species
catastrophic and would escalate costs with potential economic importance
enormously. Thus, excess use of may become extinct before they are
pesticides will have an adverse effects even discovered.
in the environment. ● Areas rich in biodiversity provide a
● A diverse group of nitrogen fixing pleasing, attractive environment and
bacteria from the atmosphere are use can promote tourism. Thus it becomes
for crops and forests. a source of income and provides
employment and ultimately contributes
3) Health: to economies.
● Biodiversity ecosystems supply us with
When more species are conserved there a diversity of raw materials, including
are more chances of discovering something for wood, biofuels and plant oils that come
medical use and possibility that could hold the from both wild and cultivated species.
answer to future medical cures. When a Elements from different plants offer
 different properties, such as harder or ● Natural products: Many of the
softer wood, or oils with varying smoke medicines, fertilizers, and pesticides
points. The more diverse an ecosystem we use are derived from plants and
is, the more stable it is, the more animals. We also get products such as
productive it tends to be, and the oils, adhesives, and silk from natural
better it can withstand environmental sources.
stress
● Environmental services: We rely on
5) Aesthetic reasons: plants and animals for essential
processes such as soil aeration,
● Biodiversity and the protection of our fertilization, and pollination.
ecosystems is also essential to us all as
individuals. Landscapes and species are ● Enjoyment: Biodiversity is often the
beautiful and enrich the lives of subject of aesthetic interest.
humans .We can all appreciate the ● Scientific interest: The diversity of
beauty of biodiversity whether we are plants and animals inspires scientific
looking at a rock-pooling, going for a inquiry in many different realms.
walk in a wood or sitting in a garden. Evolutionary science, anatomy,
Human beings like to live in a varied physiology, behaviour, and ecology are
natural environment with open spaces only a few examples.
to walk and play in, trees for shade,
colorful flowers, clean water for ● Self-perpetuation: Biologically diverse
swimming and paddling, birds and ecosystems help to preserve their
animals. component species, reducing the need
o Natural world provides for future conservation efforts
inspiration for people such as targeting endangered species.
musicians and writers. Our
landscapes also reflect our ● Future potential for even more uses:
history. With new discoveries to come, there
● Studies have shown that patients will be many more practical reasons to
recover more rapidly from stress and appreciate biodiversity!
injury when supported by plants and a
relatively natural environment.
In addition to showing respect for other living
organisms on our planet, we should care
about biodiversity because it benefits humans
in the following ways:

● Genes: Wild animals and plants are

sources of genes for hybridization,
modification and genetic engineering.

● Biological control agents: Some

species of living things help us control
invasive/alien species without the use
of poisons.

● Food sources: Animals, plants,

mushrooms, etc.