DON CARLOS POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE MODULE WEEK NO.

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Purok 2, Poblacion Norte, Don Carlos, Bukidnon
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COLLEGE OF TEACHER EDUCATION

GE7: SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
2ND Semester of A.Y. 2020-2021
BIODIVERSITY AND THE HEALTHY SOCIETY
Introduction

Our Planet Earth share trillions of varied species. The different species of our plants and animals and the
places they live is called Biodiversity. All together they give us all our needs in our life like food, clear
drinking water, crisp air, medicines and provide us our homes. Biodiversity is like a safety net.
Biodiversity is the variety of different forms of life on earth, including the different plants, animals,
micro-organisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystem they form.

Rationale
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This lesson will give an opportunity to the students to use their higher order thinking skills in determining the
interrelatedness of society, environment, and health. The lesson will help the students in understanding the
impact of biodiversity on human and its importance.

Intended Learning Outcomes

A. Determine the interrelatedness of society, environment, and health

B. Explain the impact of biodiversity on human population growth; and
C. Apply how we can protect our environment by knowing the signs of contamination
Activity

A. Create a concept map that shows the connection between society, environment, and health. Write it
in a one whole sheet of paper. (DO NOT ANSWER THIS ONE)

Discussion
“Biodiversity is the key so we can all live in a glee”
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Image Courtesy:
https://biologydictionary.net/biodiversity/ 1
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O ver generations, all of the species that are presently

alive these days have evolved distinctive traits that create
them distinct from different species. These variations are
what scientists use to inform one species from another.
Organisms that have evolved to be so different from one
another that they can no longer reproduce with each other
are considered different species. All organisms that can
reproduce with each other fall into one species. Scientists
are interested in how much biodiversity there is on a
global scale, given that there is still so much biodiversity
to discover. They also study how many species exist in
Image Courtesy: downtoearth.org
single ecosystems, such as a forest, grassland, tundra, or
lake. A single grassland can contain a wide range of
species, from beetles to snakes to antelopes. Ecosystems
that host the most biodiversity tend to have ideal environmental conditions for plant growth, like the warm
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and wet climate of tropical regions. Ecosystems can also contain species too small to see with the naked eye.
Looking at samples of soil or water through a microscope reveals a whole world of bacteria and other tiny
organisms. All of the Earth’s species work along to survive and maintain their ecosystems. for instance, the
grass in pastures feeds. Cattle then produce manure that returns nutrients to the soil, which helps to grow
more grass. This manure can also be used to fertilize cropland. Many species provide important benefits to
humans, including food, clothing, and medicine. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/

Much of the Earth’s biodiversity, however, is in jeopardy due to human consumption and other activities that
disturb and even destroy ecosystems. Pollution, climate change, and population growth are all threats to
biodiversity. These threats have caused an unprecedented rise in the rate of species extinction. Some
scientists estimate that half of all species on Earth will be wiped out within the next century. Conservation
efforts are necessary to preserve biodiversity and protect endangered species and their habitats.
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/

BIODIVERSITY plays an important role in the way ecosystem function and in the services they provide.
Biodiversity plays a major role in mitigating climate change by contributing to longterm sequestration of
carbon in a number of biomes. It is through biodiversity that sequential balance of CO2 and O2 is
maintained. Due to the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere and ozone layer depletion, the earth is
becoming warmer and more prone to natural calamities.

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unesco.org

What are the main

causes of
biodiversity loss?
There are many
threats to our natural
world, which
include:

Habitat loss and Destruction

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ALTERATIONS IN ECOSYSTEM COMPOSITION

Assemblages of species and their interactions with their ecosystems

This is one of the greatest threats
is critical for not only saving the species, but also for their
to biodiversity. Habitat loss is successful future evolution. In the event of alterations, either within
directly linked to human induced species groups, or within the environment, entire ecosystems can
pressures on land. begin to change. Alterations to ecosystems are a critical factor
contributing to species and habitat loss.

INVASIVE ALIEN
SPECIES OVER-EXPLOITATION

The introduction of exotic species that replace local and

native species is cited as the second largest cause of Over-hunting, over-fishing or over-collecting of a
biodiversity loss. Alien invasive species replace, and often species can quickly lead to its decline.
result in the extinction of native species. The annual Changing consumption patterns of humans is
economic damage caused by invasive plant and animal often cited as the key reason for this
species is estimated to be in the region of US$ 1.4 trillion. unsustainable exploitation of natural resources.

POLLUTION AND CONTAMINATION GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

Both climate variability and climate change

cause biodiversity loss. Species and
Biological systems respond slowly to changes in populations may be lost
their surrounding environment. Pollution and permanently, if they are not provided with
contamination cause irreversible damage to enough time to adapt to changing climatic
species. conditions.
Fast isn’t always good. Species are becoming extinct at the fastest rate known in
geological history, and most of these extinctions are tied to human activity. Some conservation organizations
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estimate species are heading towards extinction at a rate of about one every 20 minutes. One figure frequently
cited is that the rapid loss of species we are seeing today is estimated to be between 1,000 and 10,000 times
higher than the natural extinction rate.

Experts calculate that between 0.01 and 0.1 per cent of all species will continue to become extinct each year,
if we carry on with business as usual. That may not sound like very much, but consider that if there are 100
million species on Earth as some estimates suggest, then between 10,000 and 100,000 species are becoming
extinct each year. Looking at recent assessments we know that more than one third of species assessed in a
2009 major international biodiversity study, are threatened with extinction.

WHY DOES IT MATTER TO US?

For many people living in towns and cities, wildlife is often

something you watch on television. But the reality is that the air
you breathe, the water you drink and the food you eat all ultimately
rely on biodiversity. Some examples are obvious: without plants
there would be no oxygen and without bees to pollinate there would
be no fruit or nuts. Others are less obvious – coral reefs and
mangrove swamps provide invaluable protection from cyclones and
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tsunamis for those living on coasts, while trees can absorb air
pollution in urban areas.

Others appear bizarre – tropical tortoises and spider monkeys

seemingly have little to do with maintaining a stable climate. But the dense, hardwood trees that are most
effective in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere rely on their seeds being dispersed by these large
fruit-eaters.

When scientists explore each ecosystem, they find countless such interactions, all honed by millions of years
of evolution. If undamaged, this produces a finely balanced, healthy system which contributes to a healthy
sustainable planet.

The sheer richness of biodiversity also has human benefits. Many new medicines are harvested from nature,
such as a fungus that grows on the fur of sloths and can fight cancer. Wild varieties of domesticated animals
and crops are also crucial as some will have already solved the challenge of, for example, coping with
drought or salty soils. (https://www.theguardian.com/news/2018/mar/12/what-is-biodiversity-and-why-does-it-matter-to-us)

BIODIVERSITY'S IMPORTANCE

Biodiversity is extremely important to

people and the health of ecosystems.
Biodiversity allows us to live healthy and
happy lives. It provides us with an array of
foods and materials, and it contributes to

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the economy. Without a diversity of pollinators, plants, and soils, our supermarkets would have a lot
less produce.

Most medical discoveries to cure diseases and lengthen life spans were made because of research into
plant and animal biology and genetics. Every time a species goes extinct or genetic diversity is lost,
we will never know whether research would have given us a new vaccine or drug.

Biodiversity is also an important part of ecological services that make life livable on Earth. They
include everything from cleaning water and absorbing chemicals, which wetlands do, to providing
oxygen for us to breathe—one of the many things that plants do for people.

Biodiversity allows for ecosystems to adjust to disturbances like fires and floods. Genetic diversity
even prevents diseases and helps species adjust to changes in their environment.
https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Understanding-Conservation/Biodiversity
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The most unique feature of Earth is the existence of life, and the most extraordinary feature of life is its
diversity. Approximately 9 million types of plants, animals, protists and fungi inhabit the Earth. So, too, do 7
billion people. Two decades ago, at the first Earth Summit, the vast majority of the world’s nations declared
that human actions were dismantling the Earth’s ecosystems, eliminating genes, species and biological traits
at an alarming rate. This observation led to the question of how such loss of biological diversity will alter the
functioning of ecosystems and their ability to provide society with the goods and services needed to prosper.
(©2012 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights reserved)

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Assessment
A. Answer the following questions. Write your answer in a one whole sheet of paper.

1. Do you think the Earth can exist without human beings taking care of it? Or biodiversity also
needs human beings for it to be in a continuous growing process?

2. What do you think are the common human activities that can harm biodiversity?

3. What are the small ways that you think would promote safekeeping our biodiversity?

B. Create an advocacy that you think is timely, knowing that in our emerging needs to endure in this
world, biodiversity collapses and suffers just to provide our necessities for survival. Write/Encode it
in a short bond paper.
If encoded: Format
Times New Roman
12
Justify
Single spacing
Margin: Normal
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a) Theme/Title of your Advocacy

b) What is it all about?

Reflection

Thoroughly answer the question below. Use appropriate academic vocabulary and clear and complete
sentences. Write your answer in a one-half sheet of paper .

1. What are your insights, comments and thoughts on the biodiversity and healthy society? (DO NOT
ANSWER THIS ONE)

2. Explain the phrase. “Biodiversity is the key so we can all live in a glee”

Resources and Additional Resources

Additional Resources:
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Reference book:
Serafica, J. P. J , Pawilen, G.T. , Caslib, B. N. Jr.,. 2018. Science, technology and society (First Ed.). Rex
Book Stor, Inc. Manila

 Biodiversity loss and its impact on humanity. (©2012 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All rights
reserved)
 The Biological Diversity Crisis (1985). Edward O Wilson. BioScience (Vol 35)

ESSAY RUBRIC

CATEGORY 5 4 3 2
Content There is one clear, well There is one clear, well There is one topic. Main The topic and main ideas
focused topic. Main focused topic. Main ideas ideas are somewhat clear. are not clear.
ideas are clear and are are clear but are not well
well supported by supported by detailed
detailed and accurate information.
information.

Organization The introduction is The introduction states The introduction states There is no clear
inviting, states the main the main topic and the main topic. A introduction, structure, or
topic, and provides an provides an overview of conclusion is included. conclusion.
overview of the paper. the paper. A conclusion
Information is relevant is included.
and presented in a
logical order. The
conclusion is strong.

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Word Choice The author uses vivid The author uses vivid The author uses words The writer uses a limited
words and phrases. The words and phrases. The that communicate vocabulary. Jargon or
choice and placement of choice and placement of clearly, but the writing clichés may be present
words seems accurate, words is inaccurate at lacks variety. and detract from the
natural, and not forced. times and/or seems meaning.
overdone.

Sentence All sentences are well Most sentences are well Most sentences are well Sentences sound
constructed and have constructed and have constructed, but they awkward, are
Structure, varied structure and varied structure and have a similar structure distractingly repetitive,
Grammar, length. The author length. The author and/or length. The author or are difficult to
Mechanics, & makes no errors in makes a few errors in makes several errors in understand. The author
grammar, mechanics, grammar, mechanics, grammar, mechanics, makes numerous errors in
Spelling and/or spelling. and/or spelling, but they and/or spelling that grammar, mechanics,
do not interfere with interfere with and/or spelling that
understanding. understanding. interfere with
understanding.
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