Biodiversity Facts

Status and trends of biodiversity, including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services

The Philippines is one of 18 mega-biodiverse countries of the world, containing two-thirds of the earths
biodiversity and between 70% and 80% of the worlds plant and animal species. The Philippines ranks
fifth in the number of plant species and maintains 5% of the worlds flora. Species endemism is very
high, covering at least 25 genera of plants and 49% of terrestrial wildlife, while the country ranks fourth
in bird endemism. The Philippines is also one of the worlds biodiversity hotspots with at least 700
threatened species, thus making it one of the top global conservation areas. The national list of
threatened faunal species was established in 2004 and includes 42 species of land mammals, 127
species of birds, 24 species of reptiles and 14 species of amphibians. In terms of fishes, the Philippines
counts at least 3,214 species, of which about 121 are endemic and 76 threatened. In 2007, an
administrative order issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources established a
national list of threatened plant species, indicating that 99 species were critically endangered, 187 were
endangered, 176 vulnerable as well as 64 other threatened species.

This unique biodiversity is supported by a large variety of ecosystems, landscapes and habitats, most of
which are also greatly threatened by human activities. According to the FAO definition, the Philippines
has 7.2 million ha of forest ecosystems, comprising approximately 24% of the total land area. It is
however estimated that, between 2000 and 2005, the Philippines lost 2.1% of its forest cover annually,
representing the second fastest rate of deforestation in Southeast Asia (second to Myanmar) and
seventh in the world. The countrys agricultural ecosystem is also noteworthy. The Philippines is part of
the center of diversity of rice, coconut, mung bean, taro and yam, as well as the center of origin and
diversity of bananas in Southeast Asia. Yet this agricultural biodiversity is nowadays experiencing general
decline, as is the land area devoted to these activities.

The trend is similar for inland water biodiversity, with findings indicating a decreasing trend in water
quality, fish, biodiversity and cultural value in the countrys largest lake (Laguna de Bay) and its tributary
rivers. The Philippines presents unique coastal, marine and island biodiversity. It is indeed located within
the Coral Triangle, at the center of highest marine biodiversity. A study conducted in 2005 noted that
there is a higher concentration of species per unit area in the country than anywhere in Indonesia and
Wallacea. Yet this ecosystem is also greatly at risk. While the 2005 review of the state of the marine and
coastal environment indicated an increase in the mangrove cover, reef cover, seagrass cover and fishery
production are nowadays decreasing substantially.
The Philippines derives large benefits from ecosystems. In particular, the country recognizes the
important role played by watersheds, river basins and coastal areas in the environment and in society as
a source of livelihood (supporting fisheries, recreation and tourism and many other activities). For
instance, a watershed with adequate forest cover provides water that supports lowland agriculture,
prevents soil erosion and siltation of coasts and water bodies, and sustains the supply of surface and
groundwater for domestic use. Likewise, the forest ecosystem provides ecological services that benefit
agriculture, industries, water and power needs. Production forest areas for tree plantations and
agroforestry activities are sources of jobs and revenues, with agriculture having represented 18.4% of
the countrys GDP in 2007.

Main pressures on and drivers of change to biodiversity (direct and indirect)

Threats to biodiversity differ from one ecosystem to another. In the forest ecosystem, the primary
causes of forest loss are commercial exploitation and population growth (including lifestyle and
consumption patterns) and the introduction of invasive alien species. Loss of biodiversity in the
agricultural ecosystem is a direct consequence of habitat destruction via conversion of agricultural land
to other uses; the possible negative impacts of biotechnology; natural calamities or extreme weather
events associated with climate change; introduction of invasive alien species, pests and diseases; and
inherent institutional problems of government agencies responsible for conserving agrobiodiversity. Yet
the observed decline is also the indirect result of the increased demand for food, land and other agro-
based resources; pursuit of economic growth through intensive agriculture, export-oriented policies and
the promotion of extractive industries, such as mining, that are potentially damaging to the
environment; and lifestyle change of farmers brought about by urbanization. Major threats to inland
water biodiversity, as well as marine and coastal environments, include chemical pollution and
eutrophication, fisheries operations, habitat alteration, invasion of alien species and global climate
change.

Tubbataha reef

The park contains roughly 10,000 hectares of coral reef, lying at the heart of the Coral Triangle - the
global centre of marine biodiversity.

Scientists have been visiting these reefs since the 1980s, and their research has shown that Tubbataha
Reefs Natural Park is home to no less than:
600 species of fish

360 species of corals (about half of all coral species in the world)

11 species of sharks

13 species of dolphins & whales

100 species of birds

And also nesting Hawksbill & Green sea turtles.

Calauit Island

Calauit Safari Park is a game reserve and wildlife sanctuary located in Calauit Island, a 3,700
hectare island in the Calamian Islandschain that lies off the coast of Palawan in
the MIMAROPA region of the Philippines. It is known for its wildlife sanctuary with a substantial
population of African animals, including giraffes, zebras, and antelopes, as well as local fauna that
all roam freely in a game reserve created by former President Ferdinand Marcos in the 1970s.
 Importance / why do we need to study biodiversity?

Biodiversity is simply all of the living organisms on Earth. It is our legacy and our
responsibility to conserve it. Why?

1. Because the survival of humans depends upon properly function ecosystems to

maintain drinkable water, breathable air and productive soils to grow food.

2. We do not yet know how important biodiversity is to these processes.

The best information we have indicates that hundreds of species of organisms (mostly
small inconspicuous ones) are becoming extinct worldwide every year.

Scientists do not yet know whether losing these species will adversely affect
ecosystem function. The study of biodiversity is an attempt to answer the following
questions:

1. How many species of organism are there? (2 million? 20 million?)

2. What are these organisms? (mostly bacteria, fungi and small animals)

3. Where do they occur?

4. Which species are important to the function of ecosystems? (nobody

knows)

5. Which species are endangered and how can they be saved?

make rational decisions about conservation, resource use and management

determine if species are unique, found only in a restricted geographical region (endemic), or if they have more
widespread distributions (cosmopolitan)
distinguish native species from introduced pests or pathogens.
Kingdom Monera - The Kingdom Monera includes organisms that are single-celled known as
bacteria. The microorganisms in Kingdom Monera are considered as the most ancient living forms on
earth. The kingdom is divided into two groups Archaebacteria and Eubacteria. All the organisms of this
kingdom are prokaryotes. These cells do not have nuclear membrane, the chromosome is a single and
circular, they also lack membrane bound cellular organelles. This kingdom includes bacteria,
cyanobacteria, mycoplasma etc

Kingdom plantae - There are different types of plant species, which are found on planet earth. They are
sorted and classified into a separate kingdom known as Kingdom plantae. This classification is based on
their similarities and differences.

The Kingdom plantae is also called as kingdom Metaphyta. The Kingdom plantae includes all types of
eukaryotic, multicellular, photosynthetic plants found in this biosphere. Most of the organism in this
kingdom is autotrophs, which synthesis their own food with the help of solar energy. There are very few
species, which are both autotrophs and heterotrophs.The history of life on earth and the success of many
organisms literally depend on the success of plants.

Kingdom Animalia - The major group of animals are classified under the Kingdom Animalia, also known
as Metazoa. This kingdom does not contain prokaryotes. All the members of this kingdom are
multicellular, eukaryotes. They are heterotrophs, they depend on other organisms directly or indirectly for
food. Most of the animals ingest food and digest in the internal cavity. Most of the organisms are motile
which means they can move independently and spontaneously.

he Kingdom Animalia is characterized by eukaryotic and heterotrophic organisms. They are multicellular
and lack cell wall. They depend directly or indirectly of plants for their food. Food is ingested and digested
in their internal cavity and food reserves are stored as glycogen or fat.

Kingdom Protista - All single celled organisms are placed under the Kingdom Protista. Many protists like
algae are the primary producers in the aquatic ecosystem, some protists are responsible for serious
human diseases like malaria and sleeping sickness.

They live in any environment that contains water.

Kingdom Fungi - The organisms in kingdom fungi include mushrooms, yeasts, molds, rusts, smuts,
puffballs, truffles, morels, and molds. More than 70,000 species of fungi have been identified. The fungi
constitute and independent group to that of plants and animals. They live everywhere in air, in water,
on land, in soil, and on or in plants and animals. Some fungi are microscopic and other extend for more
than a thousand acres. Mycology is a discipline of biology which deals with the study of fungi. Fungi
appear like plants but are closely related to animals. Fungi are not capable of producing their own food,so
they get their nourishment from other sources. Fungi are in a wide variety of sizes and forms and have
great economic importance.

Fungi show a great diversity in morphology and habitat. Fungi are heterotrophic organisms, they obtain
their nutrients by absorption.