NUEVA ECIJA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Cabanatuan City

COLLEGE OF CRIMINOLOGY

SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

INDIVIDUAL CASE STUDY REPORT

Final Requirements

THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY

Group No 4

Submitted by
NOVELYN C. JACOB

Submitted to

DR. DARWIN U. ONG, RCE, MM

Course Specialist

2019

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1. COMPLETE BACKGROUND OF THE CASE:

The problem is, biodiversity in the Philippines is in crisis. Many species endemic to the
country are threatened or endangered. Our people have exploited too much of our flora,
fauna and marine life. Both the rich and the poor, the literate and illiterate are destroying
the natural habitats of the many species in this country.
The continuing habitat destruction and forestland conversion are major threats to
Philippine biodiversity. These are attributed primarily to large-scale and indiscriminate
logging and mining, overpopulation, over harvesting of resources and infrastructure
development. Other factors underlying these threats include: weak enforcement, unclear
ownership or resource use rights, low risk of punishment in relation to potential benefits
of illegal activities and under valuation of non - monetary values of natural resources.
As a human we should know

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2. PROBLEMS DEFINED:

The Philippine are home for hundred species unique to this island. We all depend
biodiversity to survive. Variety of life in our natural environment from the smallest to
largest mammals, including the ecosystems where they live forest and mountains, rivers
and seas. The continuing habitat destruction and major threats to biodiversity. One of the
threats is indiscriminate logging, this literally changes the forest landscape. Although there
has been a decline due to the combined effects of a ban on logging old growth forests-
illegal logging activities persist. The damage of the country's forest areas and biodiversity
therein is exemplified by a 2.1% (100,000 ha) annual loss in forest cover during the period
2000-2005 which was considered second fastest in Southeast Asia (next to Myanmar) and
seventh fastest in the world. If theres indiscriminate logging theres also indiscriminate
mining operations that threaten ecological sustainability. The Philippines is considered the
fifth most highly mineralized country in the world. The ranked of the Philippines is a
classification that the biodiversity is abused too much, this may lead to loss of place where
the species live.
The current population of the Philippines is 107,799,715 as of Wednesday, April 24, 2019.
the Philippines population is equivalent to 1.4% of the total world population. Philippines
ranks number 13 in the list of countries (and dependencies) by population. The over
population here leads to spread of the urbanized areas, road network and industrial areas
and associated problems (noise, pollution); abandon of former agricultural practices that
were favorable to biodiversity. Over population in one area may lead to pollution of soil, air
and water. Filipinos loved sports including recreational activities outside, we overuse green
open spaces and wild areas, mountain biking and motor sports in fragile areas this will
disturb the species living in the area. Coastal development, water quality in summer (high
population), mechanical beach cleaning, noise and other perturbations due to the high
population. If there is a lot of people, there is also a lot of infrastructure development, such
as major industries, road network, irrigation, water resources, power and energy affect
biodiversity directly and indirectly. Directly, their operations and possible expansion may
disturb, pollute, or encroach upon biodiversity rich ecosystems. Indirectly, they may attract
satellite developments or settlements that can cause fragmentation of species rich habitats,
provide access thereto, and/or threaten the quality of surrounding water bodies.
On the account of the ever rising human population, there has been a correlational increase
in demand for manufactured products, essential goods and services. The high demands of
these things have resulted in overfishing, over hunting, over-harvesting and excessive
mineral resource extraction which has highly contributed to biodiversity loss. Mineral
extraction, poaching, excessive logging and other forms of resource exploitation for profit
has heightened the risks of species extinction. It has also altered natural habits therefore
destroying food chains and interfering with the ecological balance.

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3. PROPOSED SOLUTION:

The solutions about the threats to biodiversity is we need to have a strong law, and also as a
future law enforcer we need to enforce the law strictly. We need to be educated about the
importance of biodiversity.
While most of us aren’t actively trying to harm biodiversity, modern daily life is rife with
unintended consequences that impact the plants and animals sharing this planet with us.
Natural and human caused disruptions reduce biodiversity and threaten human livelihoods
and survival. Traveling across borders and oceans to Biodiversity Hotspots to participate in
conservation efforts as a volunteer, journalist, philanthropist, or citizen scientist are great
ways to support meaningful biodiversity conservation. But for some, such trips may be a
once-in-a-lifetime experience. We can, however, all help biodiversity thrive in our
backyards.
With a few simple habit changes and pro-active actions, you can reduce your adverse
impact on the environment and encourage local biodiversity, we need to reduce or
eliminate pesticide and inorganic fertilizer, we also need to know how to reuse and recycle.

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4. ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS IF ANY:

Schools can also be part of conserving our biodiversity. What can schools do to conserve
biodiversity? Integrate biodiversity lessons in appropriate subjects. Conduct school activities
that will promote biodiversity conservation. As a criminology student, we should also lead in
conserving water and electricity, recycle/ reuse clothes, paper, cans, glass and plastic
bottles. Adopt simple lifestyles – consume less; produce less garbage, dispose wastes
properly, avoid use of plastic bags (or reuse them), volunteer at bantay kalikasan, and plant
trees.

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5. CONCLUSION AND LESSONS LEARNED:

We depend our life in biodiversity. Biodiversity provides air and water, forest generate
oxygen that we breath. Forest and mountains provide aquifers – sources of water we drink.
Biodiversity provides material for clothing and shelter. Biodiversity soothes nature tripping,
mountain climbing, bird watching, enjoying the beach or verdant forest, comforts in nature
by simply looking at the green grass, hearing the joyful chirping of birds, watching puppy
play, inspiration to artist for their masterpieces. Biodiversity is Life. Biodiversity is our Life.
We need to protect our biodiversity just like how we protect ourselves.
The lessons that we can get is we need to implement laws strictly, the consumers and
companies should be aware about the effects and impact of our actions in the environment.
Governments and regulatory agencies should also take the lead in ensuring the enactment
of stronger forest protection laws and policies. Individuals and organizations can also
participate by support environmental conservation through charities and creating
awareness. Relevant environmental protection agencies and governments also need to
implement rules curtailing practices that cause overexploitation of resources. Individual
effort should aim towards being mindful of the products we consume and buy.

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6. RECOMMENDATIONS:

The Philippine is one of the 17 mega diverse countries, so governments and regulatory
agencies should take the lead in ensuring the enactment of stronger forest protection laws
and policies. Individuals and organizations can also participate by support environmental
conservation through charities and creating awareness. Individual effort should aim towards
being mindful of the products we consume and buy. Relevant environmental protection
agencies and governments also need to implement rules curtailing practices that cause
overexploitation of resources. Individual effort should aim towards being mindful of the
products we consume and buy.
Individuals, organizations and industries need to reduce their carbon footprints and they
should equally participate in awareness creation. Cities and international governments can
also charge for carbon emissions and enact policies that curtail activities which destroy the
carbon sinks.

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7. REFERENCES:

Department of Environmental and Natural Resources (DENR)

Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 1997. Philippine Biodiversity: An
Assessment and Plan of Action Makati City, Bookmark.
DENR-PAWB et al.2009.
www.worldometers.info/world-population/philippines-population/

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