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MODULE II
MIDTERM

NATURAL RESOURCES

Lesson 4.1 BIODIVERSITY

The biosphere provides us all the physiological necessities of life such as oxygen,
water, food, and various forms of energy. It also provides us essential services which are
indispensable to humanity such as recycling of nutrients, waste assimilation, generation
of soils, pollination, and many other life supporting processes. These essential are made
possible through different life forms that are performing specific roles in our
environment.
Learning Objective:

At the end of the lesson, students are expected to:

1. Define biodiversity at different levels;
2. List functions of organisms that were collected or identified; and
3. Discuss in class “why should we conserve an endangered species?

Biodiversit
y
Refers to the varieties of individual species and communities of species present in
a given area. Biodiversity is not just a collection of species but also the various roles and
connections established through time. These interconnections enabled the survival of
the whole ecosystem or community.
Different levels of Biodiversity:
a. Genetic diversity
- Refers to the variations in the genetic sequence of DNA of the same
species. Variations within species exist such as height, weight,
intelligence, and susceptibility to diseases. It ensures the survival of the
species.
b. Species Diversity
- Refers to variations of species in a given area. Species variations are
products of genetic diversity, environmental changes and time. It takes
from thousands to millions of years for a new species to arise.
c. Community Diversity
- Is the variation of communities in an area. Communities are also
characterized by the dominant species composing it, such as pine forests,
grasslands, dipterocarps, and wetlands. Similar communities grouped
together called biomes. Their characteristics depend on the existing
climate of the area such as tropical rainforest.
Functions of Biodiversity:
1. Regulation Functions refer to the maintenance of the delicate balance between
ecological processes such as nutrient cycling and flow of energy.
a. Regulation of the chemical composition of the atmosphere
b. Regulation of the chemical composition of the ocean
c. Regulation of the local and global climate

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d. Regulation of run-off and flood prevention

e. Prevention of soil erosion and sediment control
f. Formation of topsoil and maintenance of soil fertility
g. Fixation of solar energy and biomass production
h. Regulation of biological control mechanisms

2. Carrier functions refers to the provision of space and suitable substrate for:
a. Human habitation
b. Energy conversion
c. Recreation and tourism

3. Production functions point to the products that can be derived from them such as:
a. Oxygen
b. Clean water
c. Food
d. Genetic resources
e. Biochemical
f. Fuel and energy
g. Raw materials for clothing and household fabrics
h. Raw materials for building construction and industrial use

4. Information functions refers to the provision of unlimited opportunities for spiritual

enrichment, cognitive development, and recreation.
a. Aesthetic information
b. Spiritual and religious information
c. Historic information (heritage value)
d. Cultural and artistic inspiration
e. Scientific and education information

Reasons for Conservation

1. Utilitarian Justification

This considers that wild species might be useful to us and it is unwise to destroy
them before we can discover their important use.

a. Genetic Characteristics
Some strains of grains and important crops depend on continuous introduction
of fresh genetic characteristics from wild strains to create new hybrids. New
strains have been developed to be resistant pest.

b. Chemical and Medical Use

New chemical compounds from wild species have been discovered. Anticancer
drugs have been reported to be found in tropical rainforest like the compound
taxol from Taxus trees. Indigenous people have been utilizing wild plants for
medicine for a long time and this aided scientist to discover new important
chemicals for medicine.

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c. New Crops and Products

New crops with high commercial value have been discovered. These were not
fully utilized until their values were revealed.

d. Pollution control
Some organisms are capable of removing pollutants from the environment.
Plants and bacteria can remove toxic substances from air, water, and soils.

e. Tourism
Observation of wildlife within protected areas has been a growing source of
income for many developing countries. Ecotourism is promoted in many areas
where the observers or tourists were allowed to trek in protected areas and
environmental education is promoted.

2. Ecological Justification
This considers the importance of the organism in maintaining processes and
functions of the ecosystem. Keystone species have been reported in some
communities. If removed or altered within the ecosystem, it would change the
basic nature of the community.

3. Aesthetic and Cultural Justification

Many people enjoy the special scenery of natural areas and landscapes, and even
appreciate the beauty of the coloring patterns of butterflies and other organisms,
including endemic animals and plants.

4. Moral Justification
It is based on the belief that species have a moral right to exist, whether we need
them or not. It is a human obligation to assist the continued existence of species
and to conserve biological diversity.

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Lesson 4.2 FOSSIL FUELS

Ninety percent of the energy we use now is provided by fossil fuels at the price of
urban air pollution, acid rain, and global warming. Fossil fuels are nonrenewable
resources that we are now rapidly depleting.
Learning Objective:

At the end of the lesson, students are expected to:

1. Identify the fossil fuels used by our society; and
2. Enumerate the environmental effects and their mitigating measures of using fossil
fuels from acquisition, transport and utilization.

Fossil fuels are all forms of stored solar energy. As we know, plants convert solar
energy into chemical energy in the form of organic compounds through photosynthesis.
When these organic compounds are buried and incompletely decomposed, fossil fuels
are produced.
Fossil fuels include oil, natural gas and coal. These are our primary energy source
since it provides 90 percent of our energy consumed.
1. Petroleum or “crude oil” and natural gas
These are both derived from organic matter buried with fine grained sediments of
the ocean and lakes. These organic matter are subjected to high temperature and
pressure.

Since the industrial revolution, crude oil has been considered the world’s most
important energy source. Oil is essential in transportation; it provides basic
chemicals and petrochemicals for the manufacture of new materials. At our
present consumption, it is estimated that current oil reserves will last for just more
than three decades. Most of these remaining reserves are localized in the Middle
East.

Natural gas reserves are estimated to last for more than five decades. This energy
source is considered a clean fuel since it produces fewer pollutants than oil and
coal.

Environmental effects of oil and natural gas in the following:

1. Recovery
a. Disruption of the land
b. Pollution of surface and groundwater from runoff, infiltration, and leaks
c. Accidental release of air pollutants
d. Land subsidence
e. Damage to fragile ecosystem
2. Refining
a. Accidental spills and leaks of products
b. Soil and ground water pollution within the site
3. Delivery and Use
a. Accidental oil spill from pipeline and tankers
b. Air pollution for the combustion of the fossil products

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2. Coal
Coal is a hard black mineral, composed predominantly of carbon, formed from
compressed, partially decomposed vegetation, particularly those of the
Carboniferous and Peruvian geological periods. It is first emerged at the onset of
the industrial revolution. It is now extensively used in coal-fed thermoelectric
power plants in both industrialized and developing countries.

Environmental effects of coal in the following:

1. Recovery
a. Disruption of the land (trip mining)
b. Subsidence (underground mining)
c. Acid mine drainage
2. Transport
a. Air pollution such as coal dust
3. Use
a. Air pollution (acid rain and carbon dioxide)
b. Acid mine drainage

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Lesson 4.3 AQUATIC RESOURCES

Water is a unique liquid; without it, life on earth will be impossible. The total
amount of water on earth is about 1.3 billion km 3, 99 percent of which is stored in the
ocean and ice caps. The remaining is freshwater-one percent-of which 0.5 percent is
available and 0.001 percent is usable fresh water. On a global scale, the total abundance
of water is not a problem; the problem is water’s availability in the right place at the
right time in the right form.
Learning Objective:

At the end of the lesson, students are expected to:

1. Identify the aquatic resources of the Philippines and in their locality; and
2. Describe the interactions of Philippine resource unit.

Freshwate
r
Water is essential for our physiological needs and provides us with essential
services such as regulation of climate, transport of matter, habitat to various organisms,
and many more.
Rain that falls on the land evaporates, runs off the surface (rivers and streams), or
moves below the surface (infiltration) and is transported underground (ground water);
these are our main sources of freshwater. The average salinity of freshwater is 0.120ppt.
a tiny fraction compared to oceans and seas of about 35ppt. lakes are also good sources
of freshwater but some lakes may have salinities higher than that of seas and oceans.

Groundwate
r
Groundwater refers to the water below the water below the water table where
saturated conditions exist. Groundwater in aquifer moves slowly, usually centimeters or
meters per day. Water should be pumped out at a rate lower than the recharge.

Rivers and Streams (Lotic)

Rivers are any body of fresh water or surface runoffs flowing from upland sources
to a large lake or to the sea, such sources are springs and tributary streams. Rivers are
termed to be lotic which means running water. The main parts of a river include a
channel, in which the water flows, and a floodplain (a flat region of a valley on either side
of the channel). Through the channel and floodplain, water and sediment (material
transported by the river, such as sand and silt) are transferred from ridges and
mountains to the sea or to a lake.
Streams or rivers may be classified as effluent or influent. Water is available all
year round in an effluent stream. Water flow is maintained during the dry season by
groundwater seepage or groundwater discharges. On the other hand, an influent stream
is dry during dry season or water flows only in direct response to precipitation.

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Lakes (Lentic)
Lakes are standing waters or slow moving (lentic) and usually, these are enclosed
by land and may or may not be connected to the ocean.
Water Distribution:
Ocean 97.5%
Fresh water 2.5%
1.97 % ice caps and glaciers
0.5 % groundwater
0.03% other water
0.02 % lakes, rivers
0. 01 % soil moisture
0.0001% atmosphere

Classification of Water Use

a. Domestic. Water in rural areas is usually obtained from springs and private
deep wells but in urban areas, water is supplied by complex and costly facilities.
Domestic use includes, drinking, bathing, washing clothes, washing dishes,
flushing toilets, and watering lawns and gardens.
b. Agricultural. The major consumptive use of water is for irrigation.
c. In-stream. In-stream uses of water are for hydroelectric power, recreation,
aquaculture, and navigation.
d. Industrial. Industries usually need water for cooling operations and for
dissipating waste materials.
Water Resource Problems
Water resource creates problems and that fall into three categories: too much or
too little supply and contamination.
A. Too Much Water
Too much water results to flooding. Not all floods are bad. Flood that spilled in
areas near rivers retain a thin layer of sediments that is rich in organic matter and
enrich the soil. In this case, flood water replenishes the soil’s nutrients.
However, modern floods cause widespread destruction of property and sometimes
loss of life. Human activities increase the occurrence of floods and flood damage.
Deforestation, construction of buildings, roads and bridges, “kaingin” system and
development of areas where plants and trees are completely removed, thus
destructive flooding occurs.

B. Too Little Water

Water shortage is usually observed in arid lands or deserts. These are fragile
ecosystems in which plant growth is limited due to lack of precipitation. People
living in these areas may have to walk many miles to a stream or river and carry
back the water. These areas are usually located in Asia and Africa.
Overpopulation is another reason that intensifies the problem of water storage in
arid and semiarid regions. People remove natural plant cover in order to grow
crops and livestock overgraze the small amount of plant cover in natural pastures.
Lack of plants from the soil would result to water runoff for it can no longer absorb
the water.

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1. Overdrawing Surface Water. Removing too much water from bodies of water
like lakes and rivers would result to disastrous consequences like increase in
salinity.
2. Aquifer Depletion. Removal of more groundwater than can be recharged by
precipitation of melting snow would result in the following:
a. Prolonged aquifer depletion drains an aquifer dry, thus eliminating it as a
water resource;
b. Aquifer depletion from porous rock causes subsidence or sinking of the
land on top; and
c. Aquifer depletion would lead to saltwater intrusion that is the movement
of seawater into freshwater aquifer. This can occur along coastal areas
when groundwater is depleted faster than it can be replenished.
3. Irrigation would increase agricultural productivity in marginal lands, however, it
can cause salt to accumulate in the soil, a process called salinization.

C. Contamination or Pollution
Any physical or chemical change in water that affects organisms.

Marine Resources
The Marine environment occupies almost 70% of the surface of the earth. The
Marine ecosystem is characterized by different zones which are occupied by different
types of organisms. These zones are intertidal, coastal ocean, open ocean and the
abyssal zone.
a. Intertidal zone. This zone is located at the land margins along the ocean whenever
tides occur. There is cyclical exposure to air and inundation with seawater due to
tides in this zone.
b. Coastal zone. This zone spans from the coast over the continental shelf to a depth
of 200 meters. Coastal zone is very important resource in the tropics like the
Philippines.
c. Open ocean. This areas spans from the ends of the continental shelf outwards.
Water here is usually nutrient poor except in areas where there is upwelling.
Phytoplankton dominates the vegetation and the fauna by zooplankton. Large
marine animals such as whales, sharks, flying fish, squid, and deep sea fish with
bioluminescence are also found.
d. Abyssal zone. It is an area of great depths where there is continuous rain of
organic matter; most organisms are scavengers. In hydrothermal vents, however,
unique communities that are geothermally powered exist. Food chains start from
chemosynthetic bacteria rather than photosynthetic organisms.
e. Brackish wetlands. This ecosystem is usually found behind the mangrove formation
and is characterized by the predominance of Nipa fruticans (nipa palm). In some
places in the Philippines, it is regarded as part of the mangrove ecosystem.
f. Estuaries. This refers to a semi-enclosed body of water, such as river mouth or
coastal bay, where the salinity is intermediate between salt and freshwater, tidal
action plays an important role in the dynamics of the system. These areas are
naturally fertile and trap nutrients so that benthic micro and macroflora were able
to maintain high production. They also serve as nursery grounds for most shellfish
and fish.

Philippine Coastal Zone

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The Philippine coastal zone is typical of tropical coasts, with five major resource
units occurring along its shallow coastlines: coral reefs, mangrove ecosystems, beach
systems, estuaries and lagoons, and seagrass beds. It is important to note that there are
tight linkages between upland and coastal ecosystems and what occurs in one
ecosystem inevitably affects the other ecosystems.
a. Coral reefs. The Philippines lies in the Indo-West Pacific Region, reputedly the
world’s highest biodiversity marine area, and is part of what is known as the “coral
triangle”, the center of the most diverse habitat in the marine tropics. Reports
state that the country’s coral reefs host about 400 species of corals, 971 species of
benthic algae, and a third of the 2,300 fish species known to inhabit Philippine
waters. It protects inland communities from tidal and wave actions.
b. Mangroves. In 1920, the Philippine mangrove forest area was estimated to be
around 450,000 hectares. Mangroves, principally members of the Genera
Bruguiera, Ceriops, and Rhizophora (Rhizophoraceae) and the Families
Avicenniaceae and Sonneratiaceae, continue to be an important resource base for
the Philippines, providing a range of fishery products such as crustaceans and
mollusks, an as yet untapped source of medicinal products, and other less
measurable benefits such as shore protection and nutrient cycling.
c. Beach Systems. Most small Philippine islands have coral sand beaches, i.e.,
beaches formed by coral reef growth and erosion. Forming an integral part of the
reef communities, these beaches depend on healthy coral reefs for continued
supplies of sand, at the same time supporting crustaceans, mollusks and some
worms. Undisturbed beaches also serve as nesting places of sea turtles.
d. Seagrasses. According to seagrass expert Miguel D. Fortes, the Philippines has 16
known species of seagrasses, the highest number in the Indo-Pacific region. These
species are valued mainly for their role as fish nursery areas and as foraging
grounds for food fish, dugong, turtles and wading birds. They prevent silts from
moving into the coral reef area.

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Lesson 4.4 SOIL AND MINERALS

Soil is an organized mixture of minerals, living organisms, air and water that
together support the growth of plant life. Soils are formed from a combination of physical
and biological events. Soils begin from the weathering of the parent material.
Learning Objective:

At the end of the lesson, students are expected to:

1. Identify the different soil horizons or layers and soil factors; and
2. List the examples of soil conservation practices and their importance

Soil is a resource of delicate balance, complexity, frailty, and is of crucial

importance to the production of food and many other important crops. Healthy soil has
many functions and is important to man in various ways. It is the life support system for
all terrestrial communities. It also provides habitat to many organisms with essential
roles in the food chain, notably the decomposers.
Soil is composed of distinct layers which often differ in color. The upper most layer
is the O-Horizon- the organic layer which is composed of plant litter and humus. The next
horizon or the A-horizon is composed of the bodies of plants and animals that are being
reduced to finely divided organic material by humification. It is rich in arthropods, fungi,
microorganisms, nutrients, and organic matter. This is followed by the E-layer or
eluviation (leaching) layer which is light in color; this layer is beneath the A Horizon and
above the B Horizon. It is made up mostly of sand and silt, having lost most of its
minerals and clay as water drips through the soil (in the process of eluviation). The next
horizon, or the B horizon, is composed of mineral soil in which the organic compounds
are converted by decomposers into inorganic compounds (mineralization). Both A and B
horizons are valuable sources of nutrients for plants. The C horizon is composed of
weathered parent material; it may determine the Ph of the soil and the Soil’s rate of
water absorption and retention. The deepest layer is the R layer or the unweathered
bedrock.

Soil Properties
The suitability of soils to plant growth is determined by its properties like texture
or structure, moisture, organic matter, and mineral contents.
Texture or structure is determined by the size of rock particles within the soil.
Consistency, density, and porosity depend on the texture of the soil. Sandy soils are
porous and loose that can easily be blown or washed away while clay soils are poorly
drained, poorly aerated, and well packed thus not well suitable to most plants. The ideal
soil is loam, it is characterized by well aeration, drainage properties, and nutrient
retention ability. Soil texture is an important parameter in cultivation.

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Soil moisture is also essential to the most terrestrial plant life and plays a role in
the prevention of soil erosion: soil with sufficient moisture are less susceptible to erosion
than dry soil. Soil moisture is a necessary precondition for most cultivated crops.
Mineral content or soil fertility depends on the type of soil, which contains more or
less minerals, the presence of which is an important parameter for the suitability of the
soil for cultivation.
Organic matter detritus, humus, and other organic matter undergoing
decomposition play an important role in maintaining soil fertility. Plant litter from
vegetation provides much of these organic materials. In moderate quantity, these
materials provide texture that is favorable for plant growth. Many organic components
form complexes with mineral nutrients that enhance uptake by plants. The humus
content of the soil also influences the capacity of the soil to prevent or reduce runoff and
erosion. Tropical areas have less amounts of humus than temperate regions, thus slash
and burn practices can easily reduce soil fertility.

Soil Formation
Soil formation is usually a slow process. Soils are usually generated at a rate of
only a few centimeters per millennium; under farming conditions, top soil can be formed
at the rate of 2.5 cm per 100 years. This is in contrast to the rapid rate at which topsoil
can be lost annually; in many areas, it is being eroded in rates of several centimeters per
decade or even faster.

Soil erosion
Erosion is the wearing away of soil by water or wind. It occurs wherever grass,
bushes, and trees are lost. Deforestation and desertification both leave land open to
erosion. Eroded soil that has lost its topsoil is no longer productive to farming. Water and
winds are the usual agents of erosion. Eroded soils may also find their way to water
systems causing silty rivers, lakes, and coasts affecting other ecosystems’ productivity.

Soil Conservation Practices

Contour farming involves tilling the soil at right angles to the slope of the land.
Strip farming is one of the simplest methods to prevent soil erosion. It consists of
alternating strips of closely sown crops with strips or row crops. Closely-sown crops
(wheat) reduce soil erosion and allow more water to be absorbed into the ground.
Terracing is applicable to very steep slopes where, terrace are constructed at right
angles to the slope to retain water and greatly reduce the amount of erosion.
Windbreaks/shelterbelts are applicable in relatively dry areas and where wind is
also a problem. These are plantings of trees or other plants that protect bare soil from
the full force of the wind.

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Lesson 4.5 FOREST RESOURCES

The Philippines is endowed with highly diverse forest resources. Forest resources
have been providing us with materials for our needs-from construction, and for food-to
medicine. As one travels from lowland to the mountainous areas, he/she can change of
forest types or zones.

Learning Objective:

At the end of the lesson, students are expected to:

1. List the sequence of ecosystems or zonation patterns from lowlands to highlands
and from land to the sea; and
2. Identify the factors that determine the zonation patterns.

The major ecosystems of the Philippines vary according to temperature and

altitude. This variation, particularly the forest, contributes to the rich biodiversity of the
country. One will clearly observe this variation as you travel from sea level to the
highlands such as Mt. Pulag in Northern Luzon.

Types of Forests
a. Mangrove forest is dominated by only few species of trees but this type of forest
provides habitats for many aquatic and birds species.
b. Dipterocarp is dominated by dipterocarp trees like lauan, bagtikan, and narra. An
example of this is Mt. Makiling.
c. Mossy forest is located at elevations higher than the pine forest; lichens, mosses
and other epiphytes are dominant and are found on small trees.
d. Pine forest is located in high mountains such as the cordilleras.

Lesson 4.6 WILDLIFE

Most of man’s nutritional needs are satisfied by plant and animal resources, either
from the wild or domesticated/cultivated species. Natural ecosystems are the main
sources of edible plants and animals, ranging from game fish and fowl, to vegetables,
fungi, fruits and exotic species. Ironically, even if they are important to us, most wildlife
species are now extinct due to untoward human activities.

Learning Objective:

At the end of the lesson, students are expected to:

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1. Enumerate plants and animals that are very useful to us; and
2. List some endemic species of the Philippines and give possible reasons why some
of them are endangered, vulnerable, or possibly now extinct.

During the time of our ancestors, plants and animals gathered from nature served
as food. These also provided for other needs such as clothing, housing, and medicine.
Until today indigenous people are still practicing the same way of living. However, with
the ever increasing population, wildlife may not be enough to provide such needs. Even
domestication and cultivation may not be enough to catch up with the increasing human
needs.
Plants and animals that we known to be least important at present have also been
lost in the process; most of them are not even identified. Scientific researches especially
in medicine and biotechnology that are highly sophisticated are being undertaken to
identify and preserve such species. Some of them have been identified to be important
as medicine, food supplement, and genetic resource.
Species in the natural ecosystems can be classified into: (a) rare species which
refers to small number of individuals in a given population that interbreeding to other
populations is seriously reduced or eliminated or the population is restricted to a small
number of locations, and (b) endemic species which refers to species restricted to a
distinct geographically limited area.
The influence of human activities on wild species has grown at an unprecedented
rate. Although some species respond positively to anthropogenic pressures, majority
show only limited tolerance of increasingly widespread and rapid changes to ecosystems
worldwide. The major human induced impacts on biodiversity are: habitat destruction
and fragmentation; invasive alien species; over-utilization; disease; pollution and
contaminants; incidental mortality; and climate change.

Major Human Induced Impacts

1. Habitat Destruction and Fragmentation. Deforestation is one of the main causes of
habitat destruction. Habitats of species including their food sources may be
destroyed in the process of harvesting forest products. Cascading effects of
deforestation may lead to extinction. This usually happens if the food chain is
disrupted. Forest clearing for housing and open pit mining usually destroy habitats
or fragments the forest. Forests that are fragmented will not allow some species to
cross the new boundary which may then disturb the breeding cycle.
2. Introduction of Exotic Species. Due to efficient transportation methods, species are
introduced in areas where they are not be able to survive in the new habitat or
become prolific and often outcompeting the local species. This will then cause
extinction of the local species.
3. Overutilization. Overharvesting or unsustainable use of resources leads to the
extinction of species. The species are unable to reproduce at the rate they are
being replaced. An example is the concept of the ½ tragedy of the commons 1/2 ,
when the use of resource is greater than its recovery until carrying capacity of the
resource-base fall of to non-recovery.
4. Pollution and Contamination. Pollution such as air and water pollution affects the
organism’s reproduction and survival. Tolerance to disease may be weakened due
to chemicals. Contamination with persistent pollutants may be magnified in a food

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chain, such that from plants to the last consumer there will be increasing
contaminant level. An example is DDT.
5. Climate Change. Climate change is observable in nature; it may be a natural cycle
or anthropogenic in origin. Records show that there are climatic changes that had
happened before, like the ice age and even global warming. However, the trends
show that the rate of change is faster that the organisms’ rate of adaptation thus
causing extinction.

The IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) estimated

current status of species from extinct to threaten following the criteria below.
Table 6.1 Criteria for estimating species from extinction
Extinct EX Species for which extensive surveys show
there is no reasonable doubt that the last
individual has died.
Extinct in wild EW Species that survive only in cultivation, in
captivity or as a naturalized population (or
populations) well outside the past range
Critically Endangered CR Species that are facing an extremely high risk
of extinction in the wild. Decline measured for
more than 10 years or 3 generations is 90
percent. Indicating the probability of
extinction in the wild to be 50 percent in 10
years or 3 generations
Endangered EN Species that are facing a very high risk of
extinction in the wild. Decline measured for
more than 10 years or 3 generations is 70
percent. Indicating the probability of
extinction in the wild to be 20 percent in 20
years or 5 generations
Vulnerable VU Species that are facing a high risk of
extinction in the wild. Decline measured for
more than 10 years or 3 generations is 50
percent. Indicating the probability of
extinction in the wild to be 10 percent in 100
years
Near Threatened NT Species that do not qualify for Critically
Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable now,
but are close to qualifying for or are likely to
qualify for a threatened category in the near
future.
Least Concern LC Species that do not qualify for Critically
Endangered, endangered, vulnerable, or near
threatened. Widespread and abundant
species are included in this category.

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