CHAPTER 2.
STATUS OF
WORLD AND PHILIPPINE
BIODIVERSITY
INTRODUCTION
• In terms of global diversity, there
are 1.4 million currently known
species. Estimates for true
number range from 3 to 50
million.
• Approximately 70% of all known
species are invertebrates.
However, there is an observed
unprecedented decline of
biodiversity around the globe in
terms of rate and scale.
Figure 2.1. Insects are the largest and
the most diverse group of organisms
on Earth. There are approximately 30
orders with the number of described
species reaching nearly 1 million.
However, some scientists believe the
actual number may exceed 20 million!
• At the end of this chapter, you are
expected to:
[Link] the characteristics and factors of
megadiversity
LEARNING [Link] in the world
OUTCOMES [Link] the status of world’s and
Philippines’
[Link];
[Link] biodiversity and biological
hotspot.
LESSON 1. WORLD’S
MEGADIVERSITY COUNTRIES
• Megadiversity Countries are the top biodiversity-rich
countries in the world. These countries are known to
house a high number of species which are mostly
endemic. According to Mittermeier and colleagues
(1999), there are two criteria used in megadiverse
classification:
[Link] at least 5,000 endemic plants
[Link] a marine ecosystem within the borders.
REFERENCE TERM
Endemic species have a range that is restricted to a limited geographical area
because they are highly adapted to a particular niche.
Threatened species are any species which are likely to become endangered
within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
Endangered species are those that have a very high risk of extinction in the wild
in the immediate future
Extinction happens when a species dies out from cataclysmic events,
evolutionary problems, or human interference.
Megadiverse Countries
• A megadiverse country is one of a group of
nations that harbours the majority of Earth's
species and high numbers of endemic
species.
• Conservation International identified 17
megadiverse countries in 1998.
• Many of them are located at least partially
in tropical or subtropical regions.
Megadiversity
• According to Conservation
International, an environmental
• non-profit, 70% of the world’s flora
and fauna exist in only 17
countries. These nations comprise
just under 10% of the surface of the
earth.
1. The biodiversity of every nation is critically
important to that nation’s survival, and must be a
fundamental component of any national or regional
The development strategy;
Megadiversity 2. Biodiversity is by no means evenly distributed on
our planet, and some countries, especially in the
Country concept tropics, harbour far greater concentrations of
biodiversity than others;
is based on four 3. Some of the most species rich and biodiverse
nations also have ecosystems that are under the
premises most severe threat;
(Mittermeier et 4. To achieve maximum impact with limited resources,
conservation efforts must concentrate heavily (but
al., 1999): not exclusively) on those countries richest in
diversity and endemism and most severely
threatened; resources invested in them for
conservation should be roughly proportional to their
overall contribution to global biodiversity.
17 Megadiverse Countries
The Conservation International identified the world’s megadiversity countries which include
Australia, The Congo, Madagascar, South Africa, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New
Guinea, Philippines, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, United States and Venezuela.
United South
India China Brazil Mexico
States Africa
Madagascar Congo Indonesia Malaysia Ecuador Philippines
Papua New
Venezuela Peru Colombia Australia
Guinea
2.2 STATUS OF
PHILIPPINE
BIODIVERSITY
Status of Philippine Biodiversity
The Philippines boasts its status as one of the world’s biodiverse countries.
This status is due to the diversity of species, the species richness, and the high endemism rates in the country.
Also, the Convention on Biological Diversity reported that the country’s biodiversity is owed to the presence of
various types of ecosystems, landscapes, and habitats that serve as home to diverse group of organisms.
• Figure 2.2. The Philippine tarsier is
endemic to the country. It is a shy
and nocturnal primate that leads a
largely hidden life. It becomes active
at night where its keen sight and
ability to maneuver around trees
allows it to avoid contact with
humans.
• However, a large number of species are
already threatened with extinction.
• The identified threats are habitat alteration,
population growth, overexploitation of
resources, introduction of invasive species,
and pollution.
• With this, the Philippines qualified as a
biodiversity hotspot.
• The threat to country’s biodiversity is among the crises faced by
the Philippines.
• This is along with the problems on water and air pollution,
improper disposal of solid and toxic wastes, food shortage, etc.
• The common denominator is that these are caused by humans.
There are destruction of watersheds, depletion of ground water
due to over extraction, and salt water intrusion.
• There is chemical, biological, and thermal pollution.
• Air pollution comes from motor vehicles, industrial and
agricultural activities.
• In terms of food, there is foot and mouth
disease being closely monitored as well
as mad cow disease in beef, bird flu in
chicken, heavy metal in fish, and formalin
in vegetables and genetically modified
organisms.
• Consequently, improper waste disposal
remains as the major biodiversity stressor
in the Philippines.
• All these contribute to the escalating
threats of Philippine biodiversity.
REFERENCE TERM
• Biodiversity Hotspot is a region that is known
as a reservoir of biodiversity and of threatened
species.
• Reports show that there are 25 biologically-rich
areas in the world that have at least 70% of
their original habitat.
• Figure 2.3. Conversion of
forestland into various
industrial sites greatly affects
the rich diversity status of
Philippine forest ecosystem. A
decline of forest cover is
observable in the country.
• Table 2.1. Although the
Philippines contain 2/3 of the
Earth’s biodiversity, it is faced
with a problem on threatened
species. This table shows the
data on the number of
threatened species per
taxonomic group.
ACTIVITY 2.2
[Link] is the relationship between biodiversity
and biological hotspot?
[Link] factors were considered in identifying
the Philippines as a megadiverse country and
as one of the hotspots in the world?
[Link] you are to write a news headline on the
current status of Philippine biodiversity, what
would it be?