LESSON 10 BIODIVERSITY. AND THE HEALTHY SOCIETY This course focuses on the interrelatedness of society, environment, and health. By the end of this lesson, students are expected to be able to establish the interrelat- edness of society, environment, and health. & At the end of the module, you should be able to: + determine the interrelatedness of society, environment, and health; + create a diagram that would show the relatedness of species in forming up a diverse and healthy society without compromising one another; and + identify everyday tasks and evaluate whether they contribute to the wellness and health of biodiversity and society or not. 120 (EEA/ liversity And The Healthy Society 7 )PRE-ASSESSMENT ) COURSE/YEAR: SCORE: Let's Refresh Your Mind Directions: Read each item carefully and encircle the best answer. 1. What is Biodiversity? A. Atype of coconut C. The spread of all living things B.A brand of oil D. Aplant species 2, Of all the life forms that have ever existed how many are now extinct? A. 21.2% C. 58.88% B. 74% D. 99.9% 3, In which country would you find 99% of marsupials? A China C. India B. Brasil D. Australia 4, Which of the following countries is ‘megadiverse’? A Australia C.USA, B. England D. India 5. There is estimated to be 100 million species on the earth, how many have been identified A. 100 million C. 500,000 B. 1.7 million D. 30 million 6. Which branch of biodiversity provides 60% of all the world’s medicine: A. Animals C. Plants B. Bacteria D. All of the above 7. Which of the following is causing the most extinction? A. Pollution C. Farts B. Loss of habitat D. They are dying of old age 8. Which of the following environments would you expect to have the most biodiversity? A. Sahara Desert C. North Pole B. Amazon Rainforest D. Mt Everest 9, Which of the following does biodiversity not contribute to? A. Food C. Wireless Internet B. Clothes D. Petrol 10. How many new species are found every year? A.1 million C.38 B. 15,000 D. 200,000 121 (EE= & And The Healthy Society COURSE/YEAR: SCORE: Direction: Answer the following questions below in 3-5 sentences. Task 1: How would you reconcile the emerging needs of human beings regarding their health and the need to protect the growth of biodiversity? Task 2: What are the pros and cons of biodiversity? PROS CONS 122 (EEAjodiversity And The Healthy Society GC | MAIN CONTENT ) Biodiversity is defined as the variability among living organ- isms from all sources including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems, and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems. In other words, the occurrence of different types of ecosystems, different species of organ- isms with the whole range of their variants and genes adapt- ed to different climates, environments along with their inter- "actions and processes. Biodiversity and Ecosystem is defined as the vast variety of life forms in the entire earth. It encompasses all kinds of life forms, from the single-celled organisms to the larg- est multi-celled organisms. Its definition is in the structural and functional perspective and not as individual. . Biodiversity is the source of the essential goods and ecological services that constitute the , source of life for all and it has direct consumptive value in food, agriculture, medicine, and in indus- try. Understanding biodiversity within the concept of ecosystem needs a thorough study on the relationship of the biotic, the living organisms. and the abiotic, the non-living organisms. Interdisciplinary approach is needed to study the ecosystem. Biodiversity plays a major role in this natural dynamic. bp Therefore, we, as human inhabitants of the ecosystem, must preserve and conserve the biodiversity of all creatures. In simple terms, it is true that people will always depend on biodiversity on the wholeness of our being and in our everyday lives. Somehow, there are ways and processes. in the ecosystem that are not apparent nor appreciated by us, human beings. Think about the need to drink clean and fresh water, the need to eat healthy vegetables and food, or the need of man to transport which makes him rely on fuel. Thus, if we fail to keep the process of taking care of the ecosystem, itis us who are actually putting our lives at risk. Significant decline in biodiversity has direct human impact when ecosystem in its insufficiency can no longer provide the physical as well as social need of human beings. Indirectly, changes in the ecosystem affect livelihood, income, and on occasion, may even cause political conflict. Alteration in any system could bring varied effects. A change in biodiversity could have erratic effects not only in wildlife or marine life but also in human beings. We can clearly infer that when our ecosystem is not well taken care of, biodiversity encounters changes that may impact human health on such different levels. 123 (EEEBi A Major threats identified by United Nations’ Environment Programme. + Habitat loss and destruction + Alteration in ecosystem composition + Pollution and contamination + Global climate change + Consequences of Biodiversity Loss Even with the improvement of technology and science at present, we still have a lot to leam about biodiversity, more so about the consequences of biodiversity loss. However, the basic concept about biodiversity loss was from Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace. The particular species making up an ecosystem determine its productivity, affect nutrient cy- cles and soil contents, and influence environmental conditions such as water, cycles, weather patterns, climate and other non-biotic aspects. The loss of biodiversity has many consequenc- es that we understand and many that we do not. As stated by Tilman, “The Earth will retain its most striking feature, its biodiversity, only if humans have the prescience to do so. According to the World Health Organization, biodiversity is a vital element of a human being’s nutrition because of its influence to food production. Biodiversity is a major factor that contributes to sustainable food production for human beings. A society or a population must have access to a sufficient variety of nutritious food as it is a determinant of their health as human beings. Nutrition and biodiversity are linked at many levels; the ecosystem, with food production as an ecosystem service. Nutritional composition between foods and among varietiesicultivars/breeds of the same food can differ dramatically, affecting micronutrient availability in the diet. Intensified and enhanced food production through irrigation, use of fertilizer, plant protection (pesticides), or the introduction of crop varieties and cropping patterns affect biodiversity and thus impact global nutritional status and human health. Almost all living organisms are dependent to their environment to live and reproduce. Basic needs of living organisms such as air, water, food, and habitat are provided by its environ- ment The evolution of human beings was due to the improved access to these basic needs, Environmental hazards increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, asthma, and many other ill nesses. These hazards can be physical, such as pollution, toxic chemicals, and food contami- nants, or they can be social, such as dangerous work, poor housing conditions, urban sprawl, and poverty. The interrelation between human health and biological diversity considerable and complex. With the current biodiversity loss at unprecedented rates, the delicate balance between human health and biological diversity is at risk. 124 (EEA@ Biodiversity And The Healthy Soc a ‘Some human illnesses that are found to be related with its environment include Par- kinson’s disease, heart disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, dia- betes, obesity, occupational injuries, dysentery, arthritis, malaria, and depression. According to experts, climate change could also have a serious impact on human health and could de- teriorate farming systems and reduce nutrients in some foods. Relationships between human health and the environment raise many ethical, social, and legal dilemmas by forcing people to choose among competing values. Many of the issues at the intersection of health and the environment have to do with managing benefits and risks. For example pesticides play an important role in increasing crop yields, but they can also pose hazards to human health and the environment. Alternatives to pesticide uses could significantly reduce agricultural productivity, leading to food shortages and increased food prices which would, in turn increase starvation in some parts of the world. When drafting and implementing environmental health regulations, itis important to consider vulnerable subpopulations. A vulnerable subpopulation is a group with an increased suscep- tibilty to the adverse effects of an environmental risk factor, due to their age, genetics, health status, or some other condition. If an environmental regulation is designed to protect average members of the population, it may fail to adequately protect vulnerable subpopulations. How- ever, almost everyone in the population has an above-average susceptibility to at least one environmental risk factor. Various public health strategies pit the rights of individuals against the good society, such as mandatory treatment, vaccination, or diagnostic testing; isolation and quarantine; and decease surveillance. Human right issues also come up with research on environmental health that evolves human subjects. For research to be ethical, human subjects must give consent, and great care must be taken to ensure that they understand that they can opt out of the research project. Since late 1990's some pesticide companies have tested their products on human subjects to gather data to submit to the government for regulatory purposes. Some commenta- tors charge that these experiments are unethical because they place people at unacceptably high risk without a clear benefit to society. EEA) 125[ iversi And The Healthy Society gE COURSE/YEAR: SCORE: @ ANALYSIS) oD Let's Figure Things Out \|__ Direction: Answer the following questions below in 3-5 sentences. 1. Do you think that earth can exist without human beings taking care of it? 2. Do biodiversity need humans for it to be a continuous growing process? 126 (EEAjodiversity €& [ And The Healthy Society @ S ABSTRACTION ) NAME: COURSE/YEAR: DATE: SCORE: is he iP Direction: Answer the following questions not less than 3 sentences. JA 4. What are some small ways that you think would promote the safekeeping of our biodiversity? 2. What do you think are the common human activities that can harm biodiversity? 3. What would be the consequences if these human act prohibited? 127 (EE[ ve! And The Healthy Society gE COURSE/YEAR: SCORE: [Sep Let’s try it for real (Individual) TASK |. Direction: Answer the following questions below in 3-5 sentences. It may seem impossible to really value species singly or in a detailed manner. But we have to consider the entire Earth as a single unit. A loss of single-celled species or a family of wild grass can have adverse effects in the entire biosphere. Biodiversity seen in macro level seems to be still vast and rich, it we look at it in micro level, per species, we have lost too much. Eventually, in the near future, this biodiversity loss will have a great negative ef- fect especially to us humans. We must recognize the value of the organisms with which we share the planet. With this in mind, a migrating plan and a workable plan of action should be studied in order not to compromise biodiversity, while at the same time, promote good health among the society. 4, After plants and animals, will humans be the next species to become extinct? Why? 2. Will the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus pandemic increase the importance of envi- ronmental sustainability, environmental protection, and sustainable development? Why? 128 (EEA[ liversity €& And The Healthy Society fe REFLECTION NAME: COURSE/YEAR: DATE: SCORE: My Reflection/My Insights (Individual) YOUR REALIZATION Task: A New Me (Individual) Great Job! For finishing this module and completing the learning journey. The learning experience is priceless and with no doubt that you will answer all the given learning activity on the other module with all your heart and enthusiasm for learning. Kindly share to us your learning by completing the sentences below: Ihave learned that Ihave realized that Iwill use my learning to 129 (EEECOURSE/YEAR: SCORE Directions: Read each item carefully and encircle the best answer. 1. What would be a good way to preserve A. By not littering B. Reduce Reuse Recycle C. Not driving as often D. All of the above 2. How many species of plants, animals and insects are being lost every day? Ad B. 388 C. 137 3.12 3. The Cretaceus - Tertiary extinction event is referring to the extinction of which race? ‘A. Wooly Mamoths B. Saber Tooth Tigers C. Tasmainian Tiger B. Dinosaurs 4- Biodiversity found on the earth today isthe result of how many years of evolu- tion A.3.5 billion B. 120, 000 C. 40 million 5.38 5. All life on the earth consisted of Archaea, Bacteria, Pronozoans.etc until how many years ago? A50 B. 2 billion C. 600 million . 40 billion 6. Which country supports almost 10% of biodiversity on the earth? A. Austria B. Australia C. Zew Zealand D. Afghanistan 7. How many of our mammals, reptiles and plants are endemic (found only in Australia)? A.56% B. 80% C. 32% D. 12% 8. Which country has the worst rate of mammal extinction in the world? A. Bahammas B. China C. Australia D. Scotland 9. Which is the most biodiverse country in the world? A. Mexico B. Brasil C. Japan D. China 10, How many species are estimated to be extinct by the year 20507 % B. 30% C. 12% D. 34% diversity? 130 (EEA© aan) The following terms used in this lesson are defined as follows: *Biodiversity. The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem (Lexico, 2020) *Cretaceus. The last period of the Mesozoic era characterized by continued dominance of reptiles, emergent dominance of angiosperms, diversification of mammals, and the extinction of many types of organisms at the close of the period (Mer riam-Webster, 2020). +Endemic. Native and restricted to a certain place (Lexico, 2020), +Extinet. No longer in existence (Lexico, 2020). *Habitat. The natural home or environment of an animal, plant, or other organism (Lexico, 2020). *Marsupials. A mammal of an order whose members are born incompletely developed and are typically carried and suckled in @ pouch on the mother’s belly. Marsupials. are found mainly in Australia and New Guinea, although three families, includ- ing the opossums, live in America (Lexico, 2020). *Micronutrient. A chemical element or substance required in trace amounts for the normal growth and development of living organisms (Lexico, 2020). Janice Patria Javier Serafica, G. T. (2018). Science, Technology, and Society. Quezon City Rex Book Store Inc. Lexico. (2020, June 3). English and Spanish Dictionary, Thesaurus and Spanish to English Translator. Retrieved from Lexico.com: http://english.oxforddictionaries.com/aug mented%20reality Merriam-Webster. (2020, June 3). Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved from Merri am-Webster Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telegraphi#:~: text=Definition%2001%20telegraph,2%20%3A%20telegram 131 (EE