SPECIES

 group of similar organisms

 for sexually reproducing organisms, they are the set of individuals that
can mate and produce fertile offspring
 Every organism is a member of certain species
 VITAL PART OF EARTH’S NATURAL CAPITAL
SPECIES DIVERSITY
 Variety of species
 Number of different species ( species richness) combined with relative
abundance of individuals within each of those species (species evenness)
in a given area.
VALUES OF SPECIES
INTRINSIC OR EXISTENCE VALUE
- Based on the inherent right to exist, regardless of its usefulness to us

INSTRUMENTAL VALUE
- The usefulness of species because of the many ecological and economic
services they provide as part of the earth’s natural capital
“ECOLOGICAL
Species heading towardSMOKE ALARMS”
biological extinction:

ENDANGERED SPECIES-
-wild species with so few individual survivors that the species
could soon become extinct in all or most of its natural range

THRETENED species or VULNERABLE SPECIES

-still abundant in its natural range, but because of declining
numbers, is likely to become endangered in the near future
-
 According to the Conservation International, Philippine is one of the
biologically richest countries in the world.
 Most of the Philippine islands are covered with rainforests but cutting
down trees at the extreme level or disturbing the natural habitats of native
species leave many species threatened or endangered.
 According to the 2010 survey, no more than seven percent of rainforests
have been left.
Top 5 critically endangered animals in the Philippines
The Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga
jefferyi) also referred to as monkey-
eating eagle. Philippine eagle is also
the national bird of Philippine.
One of the foremost causes of the
population decline is habitat loss or
deforestation.
Critically endangered animals
 Philippine spotted deer
(Rusa alfredi) also known as
Visayan spotted deer.
These are nocturnal
animals and are known to
reside all throughout the
islands of Leyte, Samar,
Cebu, Masbate and
Guimaras.
Critically endangered animals

 The Philippine freshwater

crocodile (Crocodylus
mindorensis), also called
Mindoro crocodile.

 The tamaraw (Bubalus

mindorensis) also known as
Mindoro dwarf buffalo
Critically endangered animals
 The Philippine tarsier (Carlito
syrichta) also called Luzon is an
endangered species that is
endemic to the Philippines. It is
also the inhabitant of the
islands of Leyte, Boho, Samar,
and Mindanao.
BIOLOGICAL EXTINCTION
 Complete disappearance of a species from the earth
 Happens when a species cannot adopt and successfully reproduce under
new environmental conditions or when species evolves into one or more
new species
 Forever and represents irreversible loss of natural capital
EXTINCTION
 Disappearance of species especially those that play keystone or foundation
roles can weaken or break some of the connections in the ecosystem
where it once existed
 Threaten or lessen ecosystem services
 Can lead to extinction of other species with strong connections to species
that go extinct
Extinct animals
The Stegodon (Stegodon luzonensis)
– an extinct cousin of modern-day
elephants – once roamed the plains
of the Cagayan Valley in the
Philippines. It died out only 4000
years ago, when Pharaohs already
ruled Egypt. Image courtesy of The
National Museum
CAUSES OF PREMATURE EXTINCTION: HIPPCO
 Habitat destruction, degradation and fragmentation
 Invasive (Non-native) Species
 Population and Resource use growth
 Pollution
 Climate Change
 Overexploitation
Population growth and overconsumption
 Excessive and wasteful consumption of resources can cause premature
extinction of species
Pollution
 Undesirable change in the physical, chemical or biological
characteristics of air, water, soil or food that can adversely
affect the health, survival or activities of humans or other
living organisms
Habitat Loss, degradation and fragmentation
Deforestation
Destruction or degradation of coral reefs
Destruction of wetlands
Plowing of grasslands
HABITAT FRAGMENTATION
 Occurs when a large intact area of habitat is reduced in area and divided
into smaller, more scattered and isolated patches or habitat island
 Can decrease tree species in forest
 Block migration routes
 Divide population of species into smaller and more isolated groups
 Create barriers
 Due to logging, agriculture and urban development or construction of
roads
Invasive or Non-native Species
 Species that migrate into an ecosystem or are deliberately introduced into
an ecosystem by human
 Most species introduction can be beneficial to us.
 Some non-native species can crowd out populations of native species,
trigger ecological disruption, cause human health problems and lead to
economic losses
CLIMATE CHANGE
 According to 2004 study by Conservation International, projected climate
change could drive a quarter to half of all land animals or plants to
extinction by the end of this century
 Scientific studies indicate that polar bears and 10 of penguin species are
already threatened because of higher temperatures and melting of sea ice
in their polar habitat
Climate Change
 Projected climate change will also threaten aquatic species, habitat and
ecosystem services if it causes sea levels to rise

 This can destroy coral reefs, swamps, low-lying islands, drown coastal
wetlands, coastal mangrove forest by 2100, according to 2006 study by
UNEP
OVEREXPLOITATION
 Overfishing
 Illegal killing
 Commercial hunting and poaching of wild species
 Sale of exotic pets and decorative plants
Ways to prevent premature extinction
 Establishing and Enforcing National Environmental Laws
 International treaties
 Creating a variety of protected wildlife sanctuaries
 Taking precautionary measures to prevent harmful activities
INTERNATIONAL TREATIES
 CITES - CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN
ENDANGERED SPECIES (1975)
-signed by 174 countries
- bans hunting, capturing and selling of threatened or
endangered species
- lists some 900 species that cannot be commercially traded as live
specimen or wildlife products
-restricts international trade of 5,000 animal species and 28,000
plant species
INTERNATIONAL
 CBD – CONVENTION ONTREATIES
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
- ratified by 190 countries (but as of 2009, not by US)
- a landmark because it focuses on ecosystem rather than on
individual species
-legally commits participating governments to reversing the
global decline of biodiversity and to equitably sharing the benefits
from use of the world’s genetic resources
- includes efforts to prevent or control the spread of ecologically
harmful invasive species
- include issues related to traditional rights of indigenous people
The Philippine Environmental Laws
(1987 Constitution)
 Executive Order No. 192 designated DENR
 Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) which
specifically tasked to implement, recommend and
provide technical assistance for their implantation
and monitoring
Philippine Environmental Law
 Environment Impact Assessment System PD 1586
- No project shall be implemented without an environmental compliance
certificate (ECC).

 Pollution control Law PD 984

-provides air and water standards
-provides permitting requirements
- provide penalty
Ways to protect and preserve species
 Establishment of wildlife refuges and other protected
areas
 Zoo, aquarium, parks and animal research center
 Botanical garden and wildlife farm
 Gene and seed banks
PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE
When substantial preliminary evidence indicates that an
activity can harm human health or environment, we should
take precautionary measures to prevent or reduce such harm
even if some of the cause-and effect relationship have not
been established scientifically.