Introduction
Biodiversity is the variety of different forms of life on earth. Biodiversity is important because it improves the productivity and efficiency of an ecosystem, while each organism and form of life plays an important role in the cycle (Shah 2014). Our group chose the biodiversity hotspot of the Philippines because of the high variety of plant and animal species. The Philippines is also listed as a hotspot because there is a large percentage of species that are endemic, or native and restricted to the area of the Philippines. 70% of orchids in the Philippines are endemic, while over 66% of the palms are endemic and found nowhere else in the world (Goldman 2010). Overall, 65% of the plants found in the Philippines are endemic (Goldman 2010). 35% of bird species are endemic to the Philippines, and 61% of the mammals there are also native and restricted to the Philippines (Goldman 2010). For these reasons, the Philippines is appropriately classified as a hotspot that contains species, genetic, ecosystem, and functional diversity.
Background Knowledge
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Figure #1:
A map indicating all locations in the Philippines that are accounted for as part of its Biodiversity Hotspots "Biological Diversity in the Philippines." Conservation International, 22 Aug. 2008. Web. 9 Dec. 2015.
Figure #2:
A food web from the Philippines illustrating the main species in each section.
"Food Web." SAVE ME, THE PHILIPPINE EAGLE. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.
Producers: berries and flowers Primary Consumers: insects Secondary Consumers: snakes, lemurs, frogs, and monkeys Tertiary Consumers: Philippine Eagle
Discussion
The Philippines hotspot provides many ecosystem/natural services, as well as economic benefits. It’s ecological services include its trees serving as pollution filters (carbon sinks) which helps regulate climate change though the absorption of CO2 and the producing of O2 back into the atmosphere through photosynthesis (Gray). Many useful resources are extracted from its Tropical Rainforests that provide food, prescription medicines, and commercial/industrial goods such as rubber for wheels of automobiles and bicycles (Gray). Gray also writes that logging also allows the gathering of a resource, which is simultaneously useful as an economic service because it accumulates short term profits without long term investments in logging companies. Other economic services that this hotspot provides are increased revenue from ecotourism, more labor, and developed countries such as the United States or western European countries pay countries with tropical rainforests (ie the Philippines) to conserve lands to help reduce the accumulated CO2 added into the air (Barber NASA 2007).
This particular hotspot undergoes variations of environmental degradation that has impacted it severely from deforestation to the overexploitation of fisheries across the islands. Deforestation is caused by the rapid growth of its distressed population which means a higher demand for resources (Meyers). The Philippines itself is prone to natural disasters (typhoons, floods, landslides, earthquakes, etc.) and its citizens have abused its coastal resources. Although this hotspot has been environmentally degraded, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Philippines have made the efforts to put an end to these conflicts. It works to track down people who are illegally logging and constructing many projects in order to preserve bodies of water (such as lakes) that have not yet been polluted (Matthews). Environmentally, it is said that the water pollution in the Philippines is very high. 58% of groundwater being contaminated, due to untreated and uncared for industrial waster water (Asian Development Bank). This continuous water pollution could lead to health hazards, and concerns with fishing and tourism industries (ADB). This hotspot produces regional implications such as the depletion of the ozone layer in which protects the Earth from uv radiation. Economic implications are also formed as degradation is present throughout this hotspot which includes the decrease in profit of tourism industries and the increasing amounts of money spent on cleaning up landfills and protecting endangered species. (Matthews). This degradation finally brings about political implications as well; when focused on the topic of Environmentalism, Democrats tend to want a big push on alternative use to make our ecosystems more sustainably while Republicans slowly move into alternative energy (making it a low priority.) This causes more conflict between the two parties in with this issue, favors the views of the Democratic party.
With no specific reference to any biodiversity hotspot, it is basic knowledge that any sort of environmental degradation will have negative impacts on the ecosystem processes and the functional diversity. While the Philippines is one of seventeen of the most biodiverse hotspots in the world, the ecosystems that make the Philippines so diverse are vulnerable to environmental degradation, including things like climate change (Globe International). Soil erosion and deforestation is just a couple of examples of the environmental degradation that is harming the Philippines (Globe Int.). Deforestation automatically takes away the habitats of many organisms in the including birds and specifically, the Calamian Deer. Through deforestation, these organisms and many more lose their habitat, as well as sources for food. Deforestation destroys forests, including trees that provide habitat, shelter and protection. It also destroys other resources like food, which provide nutrients for an abundance of organisms. Between the years of 2000 and 2005, the Philippines lost approximately 2.1% of its’ forest cover as a result of deforestation (Globe Int.). Deforestation causes other environmental problems, including soil erosion and the decrease in water quality. This affects the functional diversity because organisms that rely on the nutrients from the soil have to search somewhere else for those nutrients. Plants are also less likely to thrive in these areas from the lack of nutrients in the soil. A cascade effect is created, and organisms all across the food web are affected by the soil erosion and decrease in water quality.
Environmental degradation has also affected species and genetic diversity in the hotspot. For example, the harvesting and loss of the mangrove forests have caused a loss in biodiversity (#5, World Environmental Library). Because of the harvesting, the habitats of many organisms have been lost, which causes a loss in species diversity. If species have less places to mate and grow their species, there will most likely be a loss in species diversity. Not only that, another leading cause Is the hunting and selling of the animals for profit. As a result of a loss in species diversity, genetic diversity falters due to the loss of numbers. Another example would be in the coral reefs. Due to fishing and coral reef harvesting, there is a loss in species diversity which directly affects the genetic diversity (#6, World Environmental Library). Different species have less options of who to mate with, and therefore species diversity decreases.The Philippines is constantly referred to as one of the most diverse spots in the world. But, the numbers of it's animals and plants are slowly decreasing, especially those of who are only native and home to the Philippines. Specifically, in terms of animal species, currently the most worried and endangered animal is the Philippine Eagle aka the monkey-eating eagle (Pinoy). This bird is labeled as the national bird of the hotspot being said by Pinoy, "the king of the forest" and "among the strongest of birds." When the kings habitat it lost, it's family, home, and food source disappears while its clock to death appears. But, if one is to be killed and someone is found responsible, the Philippines initiated a law of fines and 12 years of life in prison (Pinoy).
Figure #3:
The Philippine eagle - Original photograph by Klaus Nigge
Other species in danger due to hunting and selling are the visayan warty pig, Philippine forest turtle, and the hawks bill sea turtle (Pinoy). The Philippines is known for having their raw and islandic culture. The fellow Filipinos tend to hunt and kill these animals to eat or even sell the body parts for profit (Simm). However, animal species are not the only ones in danger. There are 3,500 plant species that are native to the Philippines, and 224 of those species are either endangered or critical (Sablin). The most critical that has to be in danger right now is the Almagica tree that are heavily used for building and housing construction (Sablin). So when the trees are cut down through deforestation, not only does an animal loses its home, but a human also lose the potential of a home.
So how is the Philippines restoring these degraded ecosystems? Under the umbrella of the United Nations, an international agreement called Convention on Biodiversity was formed to protect and sustain all types of biodiversity (Sablan). The convention set goals and actions for the year of 2020 that branched out to many smaller communities in helping the biodiversity. The plan is to increase the forest cover from 23.9% to 52.6%, which should provide an increase in species (Convention on Biological Diversity). In addition to that, 1,169 marine areas and many plants were set with protection that data showed a development in marine turtles which were endangered (CBD). To avoid the fishing problem, 16 tribes were monitored in their fisheries with limited and sharing access of fishing places with local communities (CBD).
Conclusion
The Philippines is home to many original and native species that makes the place so unique and one of the top places for biodiversity. Currently, just like the United States, the Philippines is struggling with keeping their biodiversity stable and alive. This unstableness was caused by deforestation, water pollution, fishing/hunting, and natural occurrences. Even though it may be across the world, people need to realize that the Philippines goes through so many more natural disasters than most countries do. This causes them to be much more vulnerable to their loss in diversity. People need to stop demanding trade of their native animals across the world and slow down on their fishing methods. They are doing as much as they can and taking the correct steps to show, keep growth, and protecting their hotspot. For further notice to help, people can donate money or even donate money to the fund of rebuilding their country.
Works Cited
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"Biological Diversity in the Philippines." Biological Diversity in the Philippines. Conservation International, 22 Aug. 2008. Web. 9 Dec. 2015. (Figure #1)
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"Food Web." SAVE ME, THE PHILIPPINE EAGLE. Web. 10 Dec. 2015. (Figure #2)
Goldman, Lee. "A Biodiversity Hotspot in the Philippines." WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund, 10 Aug. 2010. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.
Gray, Irina."Tropical Rain Forests Why We All Have A Big Stake In Them." Tropical Rain Forests, Lungs Of The Earth. Tropical-Rainforest-Animals.com. Web. 11 Dec. 2015.
Mathews, Jessica Tuchman (1989). "Redefining Security" (PDF). Foreign Affairs 68 (2). 9 Dec. 2015.
Meyers, Norman. "Environmental Degradation and Some Economic Consequences in the Philippines." Environmental Conservation. Cambridge Journals Online, 24 Aug. 2009. Web. 11 Dec. 2015.
Miller, G. Tyler. Living in the Environment: Concepts, Problems, and Alternatives. Belmont, Calif.: Wadsworth Pub., 1974. Print.
Nigge, Klaus. Original Photograph. (Figure #3)
"Philippines." Philippines. Globe International. Web. 11 Dec. 2015.
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Simm, Carole. "Endangered Animals in the Philippines." USA Today. Web. 2015. 15 Dec 2015.
Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 12 Dec. 2015.
World Environmental Library. Web. 11 Dec. 2015. |
