Biodiversity and a Healthy Society

📌 What is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth. It includes all living organisms—plants,
animals, and microorganisms—and their interactions with each other and the
environment.

 Bio – derived from the Greek word “bios” meaning life.

 Diversity – from the Latin word “diversitas” meaning variety or differences.

Therefore, biodiversity is defined as the variety of life present in an ecosystem.

Biodiversity is essential because it supports food production, medicine, clean air, clean water,
energy resources, and protection from natural disasters.

3 Types of Biodiversity
1. Genetic Diversity
Variations within the same species. These differences help organisms adapt to
environmental changes.
Example: different dog breeds, rice varieties.
2. Species Diversity
The variety of species found in a particular area or ecosystem.
Example: coral reefs that contain many marine animals.
3. Ecological Diversity
The variety of ecosystems and ecological interactions within a region.
Example: forests, mangroves, and coral reefs.

Type of Biodiversity Meaning Example

Genetic Diversity Differences within the same species Dog breeds, rice varieties

Species Diversity Many species in one area Coral reefs with diverse marine animals

Ecological Diversity Variety of ecosystems Forests, mangroves, coral reefs

Benefits of Biodiversity to Society
1. Health and Medicine

Since 2600 BC, humans have relied on plants and natural resources as medicine to treat diseases
and injuries. Ancient civilizations depended on the biodiversity present in their environments.

Herbal medicines were used to treat:

 colds and coughs

 wounds and infections
 illnesses during wars and accidents
 healing rituals and traditional medical practices

Examples of Herbal Medicines from Ancient Civilizations

 Cupressus sempervirens (Cypress) – used for coughs, colds, and inflammation.

 Commiphora myrrha (Myrrh) – used in healing rituals, wounds, and infections.
 Salvia apiana (California Sage) – used to support childbirth and respiratory health.
 Alhagi maurorum (Camel Thorn) – produces “manna” with healing properties used for
diarrhea, asthma, and nasal polyps.
 Ligusticum scoticum (Scottish Lovage) – used to treat stomach gas, uterine problems,
and stimulate the senses.

Modern Medicines Derived from Plants

Many modern medicines still originate from plants found in nature:

 Aspirin – derived from willow bark; reduces pain, fever, and inflammation and prevents
blood clots.
 Morphine – from opium poppy; a powerful painkiller used for severe pain such as after
surgery.
 Digitoxin – from foxglove; strengthens the heartbeat and treats heart failure.
 Quinine – from cinchona bark; used to treat malaria and relieve fever and muscle
cramps.

👉 Both traditional herbal medicine and modern pharmaceuticals depend on biodiversity.

2. Food

Human food systems have always depended on biodiversity.

 In the Stone Age, humans survived by hunting animals and gathering plants.
 Today, agriculture and fishing are the main food sources.
Agrobiodiversity

Agrobiodiversity refers to the variety of crops, livestock, and fish species developed and used
in agriculture over time.

Pollinators

Many crops depend on pollinators such as:

 bees
 birds
 insects

These organisms help plants reproduce and produce fruits and seeds.

👉 Healthy ecosystems ensure a stable and secure food supply.

3. Energy and Biodiversity

Human societies rely on different energy sources that have developed throughout history.

Early sources included:

 fire
 wind
 water
 coal
 oil

Modern sources include:

 solar energy
 geothermal energy
 nuclear energy
 hydroelectric power

However, energy production can sometimes damage biodiversity, especially through accidents
such as oil spills or nuclear disasters.
Development of Energy Sources and Environmental Impact
Early Energy Use in Ancient Civilizations

Energy was used for irrigation, transportation, lighting, and heating.

Water Energy (Hydropower)

Around 400 BC, the Ancient Greeks and Romans used water energy for:

 irrigation systems
 mechanical power for mills

Early Oil Wells in China

In 347 AD, the earliest known oil wells were developed in China.

 Wells reached about 800 feet deep.

 Bamboo pipelines transported oil.
 Oil was used for lighting and heating.

Wind Energy in Persia

Between 500–900 AD, Persians developed wind-powered grain mills and water pumps.

Windmills in Europe

By 1300, modern pinwheel-shaped windmills appeared in Western Europe.

In 1390, the Dutch used large windmills to:

 drain lakes and marshes

 control water levels in the Rhine River Delta.

Wind energy was also used in sailing ships for transportation and trade.

Energy During the Industrial Revolution

During the 1700s–1800s, energy use shifted from biomass (wood) to coal.

Discovery of Coke Fuel

The British discovered that burning coal produces coke, a fuel that:

 has high carbon content

  contains few impurities
 burns hotter and more efficiently.

Because of these advantages, coal became widely used around the world.

Major Energy Innovations in the 19th Century

 1820s: Natural gas used for lighting, but distribution was limited due to lack of pipelines.
 1830s: Electric generator developed based on electromagnetism discovered by Michael
Faraday.
 1850s: Commercial oil drilling began, leading to the production of kerosene for lamps.
 1860s: Augustine Mouchot developed the first solar-powered system for industrial
machinery.

Development of Modern Energy Sources

 1892: First use of geothermal energy.

 1942: First nuclear fission reactor built, marking the beginning of nuclear energy.

Coal energy also played a major role in the industrialization of:

 United States
 United Kingdom
 other European countries.

Environmental Concerns and Energy Accidents

Major energy disasters raised environmental concerns:

 1979: Three Mile Island accident

 1989: Exxon Valdez oil spill
 2008: Kingston coal ash spill in Tennessee
 2010: Deepwater Horizon oil spill
 2011: Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster

These events showed the environmental risks of large-scale energy production.

Effects of Energy Demand on Biodiversity

According to Jones, Pejchar, and Kiesecker (2015):

Positive Effect

 Increased demand for energy encouraged the development of clean and alternative
energy technologies.
Negative Effects

Energy production can harm biodiversity through:

 wildlife mortality
 habitat loss
 habitat fragmentation
 noise pollution
 light pollution
 spread of invasive species
 changes in carbon storage
 alteration of water resources.

👉 Sustainable and responsible energy use is necessary to protect biodiversity.

Water Storage and Flood Control

Early Civilizations and Water Sources

Early civilizations developed near rivers and lakes because water was essential for:

 drinking and household use

 agriculture and irrigation
 transportation and trade.

Development of Wells

About 2,000 years ago, people discovered groundwater.

Wells were first widely used in the Middle East to access underground water and provide clean
potable water when surface sources were unavailable.

Irrigation and Flood Control

Water from rivers and lakes was used for irrigation to support agriculture.

Floodways

Floodways were constructed to:

 redirect excess water during heavy rain or high tides

 prevent flooding in communities
 protect crops and farmland.
Aqueducts

The Aqueduct was developed by the Romans and Greeks to transport water from distant
sources.

Aqueducts supplied water for:

 drinking
 bathing
 irrigation
 city water systems.

Construction of Dams

By the late 19th century, dams were built to:

 store water
 supply irrigation
 control floods
 maintain stable water supply.

Role of Forests in Water Resources

Forests and biodiversity act as natural water filtration and storage systems.

Functions of forests in the water cycle include:

 rainwater infiltration
 groundwater recharge
 percolation of water into rivers and lakes
 transpiration from trees
 evaporation from soil and surfaces
 storage of water in watersheds.

Indigenous forests with high biodiversity help regulate water quality and quantity

Effects of Flooding

Positive Effects

Flooding can:

 distribute nutrients and sediments in soil

 improve soil fertility
 add nutrients to rivers and lakes.
Negative Effects

However, floods often cause:

 destruction of homes and infrastructure

 damage to crops and agriculture
 loss of lives
 economic losses.

Flooding and Climate Change

Recent floods have become more severe due to extreme weather events such as typhoons,
possibly linked to climate change.

In the Philippines, floods damage:

 urban infrastructure due to poor drainage and waste management

 rural crops and farmlands in low-lying areas.

Air and Water Treatment

Air and water treatment refers to processes used to reduce pollution and maintain the quality
of air and water in the environment.

Healthy ecosystems help naturally clean air and water, but excessive pollution can disrupt this
balance.

Criteria Pollutants

Examples include:

 nitrogen oxides (NOx)

 ozone (O₃)

In moderate amounts they support ecosystem balance, but excessive levels reduce environmental
resilience.

Effects of Excess Nitrogen

Too much nitrogen:

 promotes nitrogen-loving plants

 reduces plants adapted to low-nitrogen environments
 weakens forests against drought, pests, and diseases.
Excess nitrate in drinking water can also disrupt ecosystem structure and function.

These effects may take decades to appear, gradually weakening soil and plant resilience.

Ozone Pollution

Ozone can be beneficial or harmful depending on its location.

 Stratospheric ozone: protects Earth from harmful UV radiation.

 Ground-level ozone: harmful pollutant formed from reactions between NOx and VOC in
sunlight.

Ground-level ozone can:

 cause early flowering

 disrupt pollination
 damage crop leaves.

In 2000, ozone pollution reduced:

 wheat yield by 14%

 tomato yield by 9%.

Environmental Effects

Vegetation damage reduces plants’ ability to absorb:

 carbon dioxide
 ozone.

This increases atmospheric concentrations and contributes to global warming and changes in
the global water cycle.

Soils also temporarily store pollutants, which can harm soil microbes and invertebrates essential
for ecosystem functioning.

Protocols on Biodiversity
International agreements help regulate environmental risks and protect biodiversity.

Montreal Protocol

The Montreal Protocol aims to reduce substances that damage the ozone layer.

Kyoto Protocol
The Kyoto Protocol aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety ensures the safe transport and use of living modified
organisms (LMOs) produced through biotechnology.

It was:

 Adopted: January 29, 2000

 Enforced: September 11, 2003

It is linked to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Countries must establish systems to identify, measure, and monitor LMOs entering their
territories.

Threats to Biodiversity
Major threats include:

 pollution (air, water, soil)

 deforestation
 climate change
 overuse of natural resources
 habitat destruction
 invasive species.

Global and Local Solutions

International Actions

 Montreal Protocol
 Kyoto Protocol
 Cartagena Protocol.

Local Actions

 implement environmental laws

 practice sustainable resource use
 protect forests, rivers, and oceans
 proper waste management.
Quick Recap
 Biodiversity is the variety of life at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels.
 It supports medicine, food, energy, clean air, clean water, and disaster protection.
 Human activities such as pollution and habitat destruction threaten biodiversity.
 Protecting biodiversity is essential for environmental stability, human well-being, and
sustainable development.

👉 Protecting biodiversity means protecting human society and future generations.