The Philippines is one of the 17 mega biodiverse countries, containing two-thirds of the Earth’s biodiversity and 70 percent of world’s plants and animal species due to its geographical isolation, diverse habitats and high rates of endemism. The Philippines’ biodiversity provides several ecosystem services.
What biodiversity means?
The term biodiversity (from “ biological diversity ”) refers to the variety of life on Earth at all its levels, from genes to ecosystems, and can encompass the evolutionary, ecological, and cultural processes that sustain life.
What are the threats to Philippine biodiversity?
The continuing habitat degradation and forestland conversion are major threats to Philippine biodiversity. These are attributed primarily to large-scale and indiscriminate logging and mining, burgeoning human population, overharvesting of resources, and infrastructure development.
How can we conserve biodiversity in the Philippines?
- Conserve biodiversity in forest areas and reduce forest degradation in priority watersheds.
- Build capacity to manage forest areas at the national and sub-national levels.
- Strengthen disaster-risk reduction programs.
What is biodiversity does the Philippines considered a biodiversity hotspot and why?
Philippines: A Biodiversity Hotspot
It is considered to be a mega – diversity country because of the exceptional diversity in ecosystems, species and genetic resources found within its 7,100 island territory . Philippines is known to be a home to 52,177 described species of which 50% or more are believed to be endemic.
What is biodiversity example?
Biodiversity is the variety of life . Most people recognize biodiversity by species—a group of individual living organisms that can interbreed. ... Examples of species include blue whales, white-tailed deer, white pine trees, sunflowers, and microscopic bacteria that can’t even be seen by the naked eye.
What is biodiversity in your own words?
Biodiversity is the shortened form of two words “biological” and “diversity” . It refers to all the variety of life that can be found on Earth (plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms) as well as to the communities that they form and the habitats in which they live.
Is Philippines rich in biodiversity?
The Philippines is one of the 17 mega biodiverse countries, containing two-thirds of the Earth’s biodiversity and 70 percent of world’s plants and animal species due to its geographical isolation, diverse habitats and high rates of endemism. The Philippines’ biodiversity provides several ecosystem services.
What is biodiversity and why is it important?
Ecological life support— biodiversity provides functioning ecosystems that supply oxygen, clean air and water , pollination of plants, pest control, wastewater treatment and many ecosystem services. Recreation—many recreational pursuits rely on our unique biodiversity , such as birdwatching, hiking, camping and fishing.
How polluted is the Philippines?
Air pollution has long been a problem for the Philippines. ... Before the lockdown, the Philippines ranked 57th out of 98 countries in IQAir’s “World most polluted countries,” as PM2. 5 was recorded at an average of 17.6 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) in 2019 , an increase from 14.6 μg/m3 in 2018.
What can you say about the Philippine biodiversity?
The Philippines is one of 18 mega-biodiverse countries of the world, containing two-thirds of the earth’s biodiversity and between 70% and 80% of the world’s plant and animal species. ... In terms of fishes, the Philippines counts at least 3,214 species, of which about 121 are endemic and 76 threatened.
What are types of biodiversity?
Usually three levels of biodiversity are discussed— genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity .
Why the Philippines is called a megadiverse country?
This high rate of forest loss is especially troubling as the Philippines is considered to be one of the most biodiverse countries in the world – so much so, that scientists have termed it “megadiverse.” The United Nations World Conservation Monitoring Center ranked the Philippines 25th among countries with the highest ...
Why is biodiversity important to humans?
Biodiversity supports human and societal needs , including food and nutrition security, energy, development of medicines and pharmaceuticals and freshwater, which together underpin good health. It also supports economic opportunities, and leisure activities that contribute to overall wellbeing.
What supports high biodiversity?
Wetlands have been called “biological super systems” because they produce great volumes of food that support a remarkable level of biodiversity. In terms of number and variety of species supported, they are as rich as rainforests and coral reefs.
What are the threats biodiversity?
Five main threats to biodiversity are commonly recognized in the programmes of work of the Convention: invasive alien species, climate change, nutrient loading and pollution, habitat change, and overexploitation .
