4. • The world's second largest archipelago country after
Indonesia, the Philippines includes more than
7,100 islands covering 297,179 km2
in the
westernmost Pacific Ocean.
• The Philippines lies north of Indonesia and directly east
of Vietnam.
• one of the few nations that is, in its entirety, both a
hotspot and a megadiversity country, placing it among
the top priority hotspots for global conservation.
5. • The archipelago is formed from a series of isolated
fragments that have long and complex geological
histories, some dating back 30-50 million years. With at
least 17 active volcanoes, these islands are part of the
"Ring of Fire" of the Pacific Basin. The archipelago
stretches over 1,810 kilometers from north to south.
Northern Luzon is only 240 kilometers from Taiwan
(with which it shares some floristic affinities), and the
islands off southwestern Palawan are only 40 kilometers
from Malaysian Borneo. The island of Palawan, which is
separated from Borneo by a channel some 145 meters
deep, has floristic affinities with both the Philippines
and Borneo in the Sundaland Hotspot, and strong faunal
affinities with the Sunda Shelf.
6. • We often complain about our country being
poor. Little do we know about how rich the
Philippines is in biodiversity. In fact, this
archipelago is known as having the crown jewels
of marine biodiversity in the entire planet.
• Biodiversity is the abundance of different living
species (or life forms) in our forests (plants and
animals) and our waters (rivers, ponds, seas,
etc.)
10. PHILIPPINES: high species
diversity and high endemicity
ENDANGERED
• A species present in
such small numbers
that it is at risk of
extinction.
ENDEMIC
• An organism
exclusively native to a
place or biota
WHY IS THIS SO:
the patchwork of isolated islands,
the tropical location of the country,
and the once extensive areas of rainforest
11. • UNIQUE AND THREATENED BIODIVERSITY
The patchwork of isolated islands, the tropical location of
the country, and the once extensive areas of rainforest
have resulted in high species diversity in some groups of
organisms and a very high level of endemism. There are
five major and at least five minor centers of endemism,
ranging in size from Luzon, the largest island (103,000
km²), which, for example, has at least 31 endemic
species of mammals, to tiny Camiguin Island (265 km²)
speck of land north of Mindanao, which has at least two
species of endemic mammals.
12. • The Philippines has among the highest rates of
discovery in the world with sixteen new
species of mammals discovered in the last ten
years. Because of this, the rate of endemism
for the Philippines has risen and likely will
continue to rise
14. The Philippines is home to some of
the world's most exotic birds
• Scientists have documented 530 bird
species around the Philippine
archipelago.
• Of this number, 185 species are
endemic to the country.
• The Bird Life International listed over
60 of them as "threatened" or "near-
threatened".
15. Causes of Endangerment of
Birds
• They are large, easily seen birds and
thus vulnerable to being shot;
• They are trapped for pets or food;
• Their habitat has been destroyed,
especially lowland virgin forest; and
• They are restricted to one or two
islands.
16. Lives in the rainforests of
Isabela, Samar, Leyte and
Mindanao.
It has similarities with Papua
New Guinea's Harpy Eagle
(Harpyopsis novaeguinea).
It feeds on large snakes,
hornbills, civet cats, flying
lemurs and monkeys - the
reason why it is also called
monkey-eating eagle.
With an estimated population
of 100 to 300 today, the
Philippine eagle is in danger of
extinction.
It is one of the 400 exotic bird
species in the Philippines,
which, if not protected, would
disappear from the face of the
Earth.
The Philippine Eagle : Pithecophaga jefferyi
25. MAMMALS
At least 165 mammal species
arefound in thePhilippine
hotspot
over 100 of theseareendemic
(61%)
26. The Mammals
One of the world's rarest mammals
lives in the dwindling forest of Panay
Island: Philippine spotted deer
(Cervus alfredi), considered by
many as the most endangered deer in
the planet
Deer that cannot be found
elsewhere: the Calamian hog
deer or Calamian deer
have longer and darker legs,
compared with other hog deer.
By 1996, its population further
declined to only about 900,
prompting conservationists to
declare it as an endangered
species.
27. The Mammals
Unique pygmy water
buffalos (Bubalus
mindorensis) endemic
to Mindoro listed as one
of the ten most
endangered species in
the world.
From 10,000 heads in
the 1900's, population
went down to 369 heads
in the late 1980's to as
few as 20 heads roaming
in the wild today
28. The Mammals
• Philippine tarsier
(Tarsius syrichta)
measures only about
twelve centimeters in
length.
• Found in the islands of
Samar, Leyte, Bohol
and Mindanao, the
Philippine tarsier got its
name from its
elongated tarsus bone.
• Today, there are only
about 1,000 tarsiers
inhabiting the wilds of
Corella town in Bohol
province where the
biggest concentration
of these rare animals
was once reported.
29. The Mammals
• The Palawan bearcat population is threatened
by human activities.
30. The Mammals
• South of Palawan, lies the Balabac Island, home of the world's
smallest hoofed mammal - the Philippine mouse deer.
• Locally known as Pilandok (Tragalus nigricans), this ruminant
stands only about 40 centimeters at the shoulder level.
• While the mouse deer are widely distributed across Asia, their
dwindling population has alarmed the World Conservation
Union, which declared them as endangered in 1996.
31. The Mammals
• Dugongs or sea cows,
the only herbivorous marine
mammals, are often sighted in
Philippine waters,
particularly near Palawan
province and southern
Mindanao.
• A dugong can live more than 70 years.
• The Philippine government has banned
the commercial exploitation of dugong
since 1991.
32. The Mammals
Over the years, these
two species of giant
fruit bats have
roamed around the
10,000-hectare Subic
Forest National
Protected Area,
which is considered
the biggest roosting
site of bats in the
world.
Golden- capped fruit Bat
Acerdon jubatus
33. The Mammals
The smallest bat in the world is the Philippine
bamboo bat (vespertilionid), which belongs to
the vespertilionid family. This bat measures about
four centimeters (1 1/2 inches) in length and has a
wingspan of 15 cm. Approximately, it weighs 1.5
grams (1/20 ounce).
34. The Mammals
The Mindoro Pallid Flying Fox -
smallest flying fox in the
Philippines The Philippine tube-nosed
bat, Nyctimene rabori of
Negros is considered highly
endangered
35. The Mammals
bare-backed fruit bat or Dobsonia chapmani
Believed toBelieved to
have becomehave become
extinct inextinct in
1970s as a1970s as a
result of theresult of the
combination ofcombination of
forestforest
destruction,destruction,
disturbance bydisturbance by
guano miners,guano miners,
and huntingand hunting
36. The Mammals
The continuous denudation of
tropical forests in the country
threatens the remaining population of
kagwang, which used to abound in
the wilderness of Basilan, Leyte,
Samar, Bohol and Mindanao.
Philippine government declared
kagwang as an endangered species
and banned its commercial
exploitation.
37. The Mammals
The Visayan Warty Pig
Sus cebifrons
1994:1994: EndangeredEndangered
1996 - 2004:1996 - 2004: CriticallyCritically
EndangeredEndangered
Northern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat
Phloeomys pallidus
Widespread in northern and centralWidespread in northern and central
LuzonLuzon
From sea level to high mountains (atFrom sea level to high mountains (at
least 2000 m), in primary andleast 2000 m), in primary and
secondary forest and heavily disturbedsecondary forest and heavily disturbed
scrubscrub
38. Reptilesarerepresented by about 235
species
160 of which areendemic (68%)
Therearenearly 90 amphibian speciesin
thehotspot, almost 85 percent of which are
endemic
39. Crocodylus porosus, it is different from
Mindoro's freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus
mindorensis)
There were
tales that a
27-foot
saltwater
crocodile was
killed near
Lake Taal in
Batangas in
1823.
It reportedly
took 40 men
to bring the
body ashore.
40. Philippine flat- headed frog
Barbourula busuangensis
• Busuanga, Culion, and Palawan
• inhabits clear, unpolluted swift-flowing mountain
streams and rivers in lowland rainforests where it
usually floats near the surface of the water unless
disturbed, when it will hide under submerged rocks
41. southern Luzon andsouthern Luzon and
Catanduanes IslandCatanduanes Island
in the Philippines,in the Philippines,
where it inhabits thewhere it inhabits the
forested slopes offorested slopes of
low mountainslow mountains
Gray’s monitor
Varanus olivaceus
45. hasmorethan 280 inland fish,
including nineendemic generaand
morethan 65 endemic species, many of
which areconfined to singlelakes.
An exampleis Sardinella tawilis, a
freshwater sardinefound only in Taal
Lake.
46. Fish
• The Philippine
government declared
whale sharks as
endangered species in
1998, thereby banning
its plunder and
exploitation.
• Right now, the
Department of Tourism
is promoting eco-tourism
to protect the whale
sharks in Donsol.
47. Fish
The world's smallest freshwater fish is found in the
Philippines. The dwarf goby (Pandaka pygmaea) measures
1.2 centimeters or less than half of an inch, the tiniest
known vertebrate.
American Ichthyologist Albert Herre first discovered it in
Malabon River in 1925.
48. Fish
World's smallest commercial fish: Sinarapan (Mistichthys luzonensis)
found only in Lakes Bato and Buhi in Camarines Sur province.
Sinarapan grows to an average length of 1.25 centimeters, only slightly
longer than the dwarf goby.
Today, unabated fishing in the two lakes threatens the population of
sinarapan.
it would take a thousand to fill a tablespoon
50. Fish
There are at least 50 known
seahorse species in the
world. They inhabit
temperate and tropical
waters but most of them are
concentrated in the warm
coastal waters of the
Philippines.
51. The Invertebrates
Tridacna gigas grows as large as one meter in length
and weighs 600 pounds
Tridacna gigas, one of the world's largest shells
can be found under Philippine waters.
52. The Invertebrates
Pisidum, the world's tiniest shell,
can be found under Philippine waters.
Pisidum is less than
1 millimeter long
53. The Invertebrates
A shell called glory of the sea (Connus gloriamaris) is also
found in the Philippines and considered as one of the most
expensive shells in the world.
54. The Invertebrates
• About 70 percent of the Philippines’ nearly
21,000 recorded insect species are found only
in this hotspot.
• About one-third of the 915 butterflies found
here are endemic to the Philippines, and over
110 of the more than 130 species of tiger
beetle are found nowhere else.
55. The Plants
• Total Plant Species: 9,253
• Endemic Plant Species: 6, 091
• Endemics as Percentage of
World 65.8
56. The Plants
Velvet Apple, Mabolo
Diospyros discolor
Among the endemic fruit trees
in the Philippines are durian,
mabolo, pili and bignay
There are more than 150 species of palms and
dipterocarps in the hotspot, and around two-
thirds of these are found nowhere else in the
world.
57. The Plants
Of the 1,000
species of
orchids found in
the Philippines,
70 percent are
restricted to the
hotspot.
As many as 9,000 flowering plants can be
found in the country
Gingers, begonias, gesneriads, orchids and
pandans are particularly high in endemic
species
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65. Threats to Biodiversity
“Extinctio n is the mo st irreversible and
tragic o f allenviro nmentalcalamities. With
each plant and animalspecies that
disappears, a precio us part o f creatio n is
callo usly erased.”
-Michael Soulé, noted American
conservation biologist
66. Problems and Threats
Biodiversity lossin thePhilippinesstems
from causesclassified into six broad
categories:
1. Habitat loss/destruction
2. Invasivespecies/Biological pollution
3. Pollution (Chemical)
4. Human Population
5. Overharvesting/Overexploitation
6. Weak Institutional and Legal Capacities
67.
68. Habitat Loss/Destruction
Habitat destruction and losscan betraced to
anthropogenic and nature-wrought causes.
Anthropogenic activitiesincludedestructiveand
unsustainablepracticessuch as
logging,
fires,
land conversion,
siltation,
destructivefishing methods, and
encroachment (advancebeyond proper limits) and occupancy in
protected areas.
71. Biological Pollution (Species Level)
Invasive Species:
parasitizeor predateupon residents
hybridized with them
competewith them for food
bring unfamiliar diseases
modify habitats
disrupt important interactions.
72. Pollution - thebrown horizon - Early
morning view from aroom in theEDSA
ShangrilaHotel - looking out towards
Quezon City. January, 2009.
73.
74.
75. Chemical (Environmental) Pollution
Pollutantsoverwhelm our ecosystemsand
overtax thedispersal and self-cleansing capacity
of our atmosphere, water bodiesand land.
Forest ecosystems- lesssubjected to chemical
pollution compared to other ecosystemswith the
exception of chemical defoliantsusage
76. Wetland ecosystems- takemuch toll from
chemical wastesfrom minetailings, hazardous
wastesfrom industrial plants, factory discharges,
agricultural fertilizer and pesticiderun-offs, and
even household wastes.
Marineecosystems- aresubject to thesame
chemical pollutantsaswetlandsbut areless
vulnerablebecauseof their greater expanse.
Agricultural ecosystems- arepoisoned by
intensivefertilizer and pesticideapplications..
77.
78.
79. Overexploitation
Population pressure, poverty and paucity of
livelihood opportunities, dearth of values, and
the"open access" natureof many bioresources
all contributeto theoverexploitation and non-
sustainableuseof our country’sbiodiversity.
80. Weak Institutional and Legal Capacities
Major drawbacksin biodiversity conservation and
sustainableuseinclude:
inappropriate, overlapping, conflicting and
obsoletepoliciesand institutions
shortageof technical expertise
shortageof funds
81. Weak Institutional and Legal Capacities
weak information, education, and communication
capacities
inadequatepolicy mechanisms
poor integration of research and development
activities.
84. Sierra Club
The Sierra Club, founded in
1892, is one of the oldest
conservation organizations in
existence. With over 1.3 million
members, this organization is
one of the most effective and
powerful at effecting changes in
government and corporate
America. Fighting for the
preservation of land and forest,
clean air and water, and a host
of other issues, the Sierra Club
is well-known and respected.
85. National Audubon Society
The Audubon Society’s declared mission is
“to conserve and restore natural
ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife,
and their habitats for the benefit of humanity
and the earth’s biological diversity” and since
the late 1800s the organization has worked
hard to achieve its mission. Interestingly, the
original John Audubon, who created the
foremost guide to North American birds, was
not the founder, but did inspire the
organization’s founders, namely
George Bird Grinnell. Today bird
conservation and Audubon are practically
synonymous.
86. World Wildlife Fund
The iconic panda logo has made the WWF
instantly recognizable to many people around
the world. With 5 million members
internationally and over 1.2 million in the
States, this 45-year-old wildlife defense
organization is going strong. Strongly
promoting an emphasis on science, the WWF
works to preserve nature and its creatures.
From the organization’s website: “We are
committed to reversing the degradation of our
planet’s natural environment and to building a
future in which human needs are met in
harmony with nature. We recognize the
critical relevance of human numbers, poverty
and consumption patterns to meeting these
goals.”
87. Greenpeace
Greenpeace began in 1971
when a group of activists put
themselves directly in harm’s
way in order to protest nuclear
testing off the coast of Alaska.
Believing that concerted action
from ordinary people is the best
way – according to their
signature quote from
Margaret Mead, the only way –
the organization has helped to
stop whaling, nuclear testing, as
well as leading efforts to protect
Antarctica. Over 2.5 million
members worldwide.
88. National Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation is
dedicated to preserving animals in
the United States and works with
local agencies in the 48 contiguous
states. It is one of the largest
environmental organizations, with
over 4 million members participating
in grass-roots efforts on a variety of
wildlife issues. The organization was
actually founded by a cartoonist
named Jay Darling (aka “Ding”
Darling) in 1936 at the behest of
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
89. Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
According to the official website: “The Natural
Resources DefenseCouncil works to protect wildlife
and wild places and to ensure a healthy environment
for all life on earth.” The NRDC combines hundreds of
active lawyers with over 1.2 million members to
create direct and legislative change. The focus is on
preventing climate change and saving endangered
species, among other goals.
90. World Business Council for Sus
Interested in sustainable
development? The World
Business Council for Sustainable
Development is the place to go
online. This global association of
200 leading companies states:
“Our mission is to provide
business leadership as a catalyst
for change toward sustainable
development, and to support the
business license to operate,
innovate and grow in a world
increasingly shaped by
sustainable development issues.”
The capitalist’s online
environmental organization.
91. Forest Stewardship Council
Certification from the FSC is
essential for a green retailer to
have genuine “eco cred”.
Environmental labels and
certifications are not globally
standardized, but FSC is one you
can trust. This non-governmental
nonprofit was established to
protect forests. Located in 46
countries, the FSC helps
companies, governments and
communities with proper forest
management and accredidation.
92. The Nature Conservancy
Since its inception in 1951 the Nature
Conservancy has dedicated itself to
saving lands and waters. With over
117 million acres sustained, 5,000
miles of rivers kept clean, and
hundreds of marine conservation
projects, the Nature Conservancy is
one of the most successful and
effective green organizations in
existence. The science-based
approach (they have 700 scientists
on staff) is used in all conservation
efforts around the world.
93. Wildlife Conservation Society
Devoted to saving wildlife, the Wildlife
Conservation Society is unique in that
it runs a large system of urban parks.
The official statement reads: the
Wildlife Conservation Society “saves
wildlife and wild lands through careful
science, international conservation,
education, and the management of the
world’s largest system of urban wildlife
parks”. The mission of the organization
is to connect humans with wildlife in
the hopes that interaction will inspire
preservation of endangered species.
94. National Geographic Society
Celebrating its 120th year, the iconic and
beloved National Geographic Society is one of
the largest, most well-funded and most
prominent environmental organizations.
Focusing on science-based research and
general interest as well as conservation
efforts, Nat Geo is decidedly environmentalist
without that being the overt thrust of the
organization, choosing instead to celebrate
amazing wonders of the earth and its
creatures. Its mission: “Since 1888, we’ve
traveled the Earth, sharing its amazing stories
with each new generation. National
Geographic’s Mission Programs support
critical expeditions and scientific fieldwork,
encourage geography education for students,
promote natural and cultural conservation,
and inspire audiences…”
95. Conservation International (CI) is a
nonprofit organization headquartered
in Arlington, Virginia, which seeks to
ensure the health of humanity by
protecting Earth's ecosystems and
biodiversity[2]
. CI’s work focuses on six
key initiatives that affect human well-
being: climate,food security, freshwater
security, health, cultural services and
species contribution. The group is also
known for its partnerships with local
non-governmental Organizations and
indigenous peoples.
96. RA 7586
NATIONAL INTEGRATED PROTECTED
AREAS SYSTEM ACT OF 1992
• June 29, 1992
• provides for the establishment and management of protected
areas in the Philippines
• serves as the legal basis for the "In Situ" conservation of biological
diversity through the appropriate management of ecologically
important areas for conservation and sustainable development
• in simpler terms, serves to "protect outstandingly remarkable
areas and biologically important public lands that are habitats of
rare and endangered species of plants and animals representative
of biogeographic zones and related ecosystems."
97. RA 8371
The Indigenous Peoples Rights Act of 1997
(The Rules & Regulations Implementing
the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act of 1997)
• October 29, 1997
• An act to recognize, protect and promote the
rights of indigenous cultural
communities/indigenous people, creating a
national commission of indigenous people,
establishing implementing mechanisms,
appropriating funds therefor and for other
purposes
98. RA 8550
THE PHILIPPINE FISHERIES CODE OF
1998
• February 25, 1998
• An act providing for the development,
management and conservation of the
fisheries and aquatic resources,
integrating all laws pertinent thereto, and
for other purposes
99. RA 8550
THE PHILIPPINE FISHERIES CODE OF
1998
The state shall ensure the attainment of the following
objectives of the fishery sector:
• 1. Conservation, protection and sustained management
of the country's fishery and aquatic resources;
• 2. Poverty alleviation and the provision of
supplementary livelihood among municipal fisherfolk;
• 3. Improvement of productivity of aquaculture within
ecological limits;
• 4. Optimal utilization of offshore and deep-sea
resources; and
• 5. Upgrading of post-harvest technology.
100. RA 8749
CLEAN AIR ACT OF 1999
• June 23, 1999
• An act providing for a comprehensive air
pollution control policy and for other
101. RA 9003
ECOLOGICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT
ACT OF 2000
• January 26, 2001
• An act providing for an ecological solid waste
management program, creating the necessary
institutional mechanisms and incentives,
declaring certain acts prohibited and
providing penalties, appropriating funds
therefor, and for other
102. RA 9147
WILDLIFE RESOURCES CONSERVATION
AND PROTECTION ACT
• July 30, 2001
• An act providing for the conservation and
protection of wildlife resources and their
habitats, appropriating funds therefor and
for other purposes
103. RA 9072
NATIONAL CAVES AND CAVE
RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND
PROTECTION ACT
• April 8, 2001
• An act to manage and protect caves and
cave resources and for other purposes
Notas del editor
The world's second largest archipelago country after Indonesia, the Philippines includes more than 7,100 islands covering 297,179 km2 in the westernmost Pacific Ocean. The Philippines lies north of Indonesia and directly east of Vietnam. The country is one of the few nations that is, in its entirety, both a hotspot and a megadiversity country, placing it among the top priority hotspots for global conservation.
The archipelago is formed from a series of isolated fragments that have long and complex geological histories, some dating back 30-50 million years. With at least 17 active volcanoes, these islands are part of the "Ring of Fire" of the Pacific Basin. The archipelago stretches over 1,810 kilometers from north to south. Northern Luzon is only 240 kilometers from Taiwan (with which it shares some floristic affinities), and the islands off southwestern Palawan are only 40 kilometers from Malaysian Borneo. The island of Palawan, which is separated from Borneo by a channel some 145 metersdeep, has floristic affinities with both the Philippines and Borneo in the Sundaland Hotspot, and strong faunal affinities with the Sunda Shelf.
We often complain about our country being poor. Little do we know about how rich the Philippines is inbiodiversity. In fact, this archipelago is known as having the crown jewels of marine biodiversity in the entire planet. Biodiversity simply put is the abundance of different living species (or life forms) in our forests (plants and animals) and our waters (rivers, ponds, seas, etc.)
UNIQUE AND THREATENED BIODIVERSITY
The patchwork of isolated islands, the tropical location of the country, and the once extensive areas of rainforest have resulted in high species diversity in some groups of organisms and a very high level of endemism. There are five major and at least five minor centers of endemism, ranging in size from Luzon, the largest island (103,000 km²), which, for example, has at least 31 endemic species of mammals, to tiny Camiguin Island (265 km²) speck of land north of Mindanao, which has at least two species of endemic mammals. The Philippines has among the highest rates of discovery in the world with sixteen new species of mammals discovered in the last ten years. Because of this, the rate of endemism for the Philippines has risen and likely will continue to rise.
Sulu hornbill and Cebu black shama, the Philippine Eagle might follow the Cebu flowerpecker which is now presumed extinct
Sulu hornbill and Cebu black shama, the Philippine Eagle might follow the Cebu flowerpecker which is now presumed extinct
The red-bellied pitta ( Pitta erythrogaster), a forest bird that feeds on invertebrates, was once considered rare but is now known to be widespread and moderately common. Two other species of pitta -- the azure-breasted pitta (Pitta steerii, VU) and the wiskered pitta ( Pitta kochi) -- are endemic to the Philippines and threatened.
Philippine creepers ( Rhabdornis spp.)
Its two big eyes cannot move and do not have a tapetum - the upper protective tissue; can turn its head 180 degrees.
Ensuring the continued existence of the Philippine tarsiers is the Philippine Tarsier Foundation Inc.
An endemic species of Palawan, Philippines, the tropical Palawan Bearcat (Arctictis binturong whitei) is generally unfamiliar to many. Threatened by extinction because of increasing human activities in their habitat, this mammal may become a victim of man’s carelessness. Its ecological role is not yet well understood.
Physical Characteristics
Looking half-bear and half-cat but neither a bear nor a cat, this mammal can grow to as much as 1.4 meters. A distinguishing characteristic are ears lined with white fur and long, white whiskers reaching to as much the length of its head. Generally docile when reared and handled and looks docile indeed, the bear cat has sharp claws and teeth that can easily rip through flesh just like a real bear living in the temperate countries. It can suspend itself by curling its strong prehensile tail around branches. Its vertically-oriented pupil indicates that it is a nocturnal animal. It has coarse and thick black-brown fur.
Read more: http://scienceray.com/biology/zoology/facts-about-the-palawan-bearcat/#ixzz1QZ7RyJ8b
Kingdom:AnimaliaPhylum:ChordataClass:MammaliaOrder:CarnivoraFamily:Viverridae together with civets and genets Subfamily:ParadoxurinaeGenus:ArctictisTemminck, 1824Species:A. binturong
DugongThe “dugong,” or sea cow, is also known as “duyong” or “baboy-dagat.” It has a long and round grayish-brown body with small flippers and a whale-like tail. These warm-blooded mammals are slow swimmers and move along coasts and between islands. The “dugong” subsists on seagrass. Although close to extinction, a small number can be found in the shallow waters of Palawan Province, Romblon Island, Guimaras Island, and Pujada Bay in Davao Oriental.
The Giant golden-crowned flying fox (Acerodon jubatus), also known as the Golden-capped fruit bat, is a rare megabat[2] and considered the largest known bat in the world. The species is endangered and is currently facing the possibility of extinction because of poaching and forest destruction. They are endemic to the rainforests of the Philippines. Recent surveys have found A. jubatus roosting with P. vampyrus on the islands of Bohol, Boracay, Cebu, Leyte, Luzon, Mindanao, Mindoro,Negros and Polillo.[1]
Flying Foxes of the Philippines
A Flying Fox? The Philippines indeed, has flying foxes, but they are not actually foxes that have wings. Flying foxes are actually bats that look more like miniature dogs with wings. They belong to the order Chiroptera and the family Pteropodidae. There are nine known species of flying foxes in the Philippines, and one that is believed to be already extinct. The smallest flying foxVery little is yet known about this particular flying fox, but it can be presumed that its population is very small, and that the species is probably highly endangered. It is small and slim with sharp and sleek facial features, has mottled wings and is covered by brown downy fur. Mature males tend to have darker fur and wings than the sub-adults and juveniles, which have light-medium grayish brown and finer fur. The Mindoro Pallid Flying Fox (Pteropus sp. A) is yet undescribed, but it could possibly be the smallest flying fox in the Philippines. It has been found in Mindoro, in the Anahawin River in Mts. Iglit-Baco National Park, and also in the lowland forest of Tandakan, Mt. Siburan in Sablayan, an area made up of drastic and gradual slopes with riverines in between, near a kaingin area, and in bamboo vegetation. All areas were predominated by trees of the family Dipterocapaceae.
One of the most distinct creatures on Earth lives in the Philippines. It doesn't have wings but it can glide across 100 meters of space in a single leap. This animal is in danger of extinction and therefore can rarely be spotted in the tropical forests of Visayas and Mindanao. Like the lemurs of Asia, it moves around at night. Its head resembles that of a dog while its body has similarities with the flying squirrel of Canada.
Kingdom:AnimaliaPhylum:ChordataClass:MammaliaInfraclass:EutheriaSuperorder:EuarchontogliresOrder:DermopteraIlliger, 1811Family:CynocephalidaeSimpson, 1945In Mindanao, people call it "kagwang". Around the world, it is known as colugo or the flying lemur. Zoologists, however, claim that it doesn't fly and it is not a lemur, a large-eyed nocturnal mammal found only in Madagascar and Comoro Islands. The truth is that kagwang or Cynocephalus volans is one of only two species belonging to the primitive order Dermoptera. The other species is the Cynocephalus variegatus or the flying lemur of Malaysia
The saltwater crocodile, which can be found in the Philippines and other Asian countries, is considered as the world's largest reptile. Scientifically known as Crocodylus porosus, it is different from Mindoro's freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis), which is a relatively smaller species.An adult saltwater crocodile measures between six to seven meters (20-23 feet) and weighs about two to three tons. There were tales that a 27-foot saltwater crocodile was killed near Lake Taal in Batangas in 1823. It reportedly took 40 men to bring the body ashore. When the men cut the crocodile's body open, they found the body of a horse in seven pieces. The largest crocodile ever sighted was a 33-footer in Borneo in 1920. It was believed to be 200 years old.
Monitor lizard
Sadly, Lake Lanao, in Mindanao, seems likely to have become the site of one of the hotspot’s worst extinction catastrophes, with nearly all of the lake’s endemic fish species now almost certainly extinct, primarily due to the introduction of exotic species (like Tilapia).
Donsol, a fishing town in Sorsogon province,
serves as a sanctuary to a group of 40 whale
sharks (Rhincodon typus), which are considered
as the largest fish in the world.
Locally known as "butanding", whale sharks
visit the waters of Donsol from November to May.
They travel across the oceans but nowhere else
have they been sighted in a larger group than in
the waters of Sorsogon.
In 1996, a marine biologist discovered that whale sharks are ovoviviparous, which means that the females produce live offspring from eggs hatched in the uterus.
More than 500 of the world's 700 coral species are found under the waters of the Philippines, which is a part of the Coral Triangle - a region in the Pacific Ocean.
The seahorse's scientific genus name, Hippocampus is a Greek word, which means, "bent horse."
At least 47 nations and territories around the world are involved in buying and selling seahorses. The largest known importers are China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
Among the largest exporters is the Philippines.
Giant clam
Conus gloriamaris, common name the Glory of the Seas Cone, is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the familyConidae, the cone snails, cone shells or cones. It is commonly found in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
The shell can reach 16 cm in length, but typically measures between 80 and 120 millimeters. Compared with other cones, C. gloriamarisis relatively large, slender, with a tall spire. It is finely reticulated with orange-brown lines, enclosing triangular spaces similar to other textile cones, and two or three bands of chestnut hieroglyphic markings across its body. The tan coloration can vary from a lighter, golden color to a deeper dark brown, with intricate detailing.[3]
[edit]History of seashell as collector's specimen
The shell of this mollusc species has special significance to shell collectors because it was once regarded as the rarest shell in the world. For about two centuries between its initial discovery and the discovery of its habitat in 1969, specimens were valued in the thousands of U.S. dollars and generally only owned by museums and wealthy private collectors. Furthermore, the shell's popularity among collectors spawned urban legends, most notably the story of a collector purchasing one at auction in 1792 only to destroy it, to maintain the value of another one already in his collection. Improvements in diving technology such as the advent of SCUBA led to their discovery in larger numbers, and today shells can often be found from retailers or online auction sites for less than $100 U.S. Nonetheless, the legacy of this shell in addition to its pleasing shape and patterns makes it popular and desirable among shell collectors today.[4]
[edit]Distribution
This is one of the many Indo-Pacific species of cone snail. It is found principally off the Solomon Islands but with a habitat ranging from the Philippines and eastern Indonesia, through New Guinea, and as far east as Samoa and Fiji.[5]
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans.
Palawan Islands
Photograph by Per-Andre Hoffmann, Aurora
Glassy water and coral reefs surround Palawan, the westernmost province of the Philippine Islands. Called one of the last unspoiled frontiers in the nation, Palawan shelters a multitude of endangered endemic animals, including the glorious Palawan peacock pheasant.
Banaue Rice Terraces
Photograph by Jerry Alexander, Getty Images
Productive for centuries, the irrigated rice terraces of Banaue are still harvested by hand. The Banaue terraces are part of the rice terraces of the Philippine cordilleras, some 2,000 to 6,000 years old and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Christmas Tree Worms
Photograph by Craig Starger, My Shot
More than 500 coral species and 34 kinds of endemic fish—not to mention this Christmas tree worm—thrive on pristine Philippine reefs, "rain forests of the sea." The Philippines is often called the hottest of biodiversity hotspots, with the loss of many species all but inevitable.
Mount Mayon
Photograph by Jeric Mariano, My Shot
Mount Mayon, one of the many active volcanoes in the Philippines, has always been a favorite among Filipinos because of its perfect cone. As the year 2009 was about to end, she started to act up. We decided to drive south from Manila to the province of Bicol, where Mount Mayon resides, to be able to capture the anger of the beautiful Mayon.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
Sardines
Photograph by Davide Lopresti, My Shot
Photo of a school of sardines taken at Pescador Island, an island of the Philippines
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
Coron, Palawan
Photograph by Hayzel Palomar, My Shot
This is one of my shots from my last vacation. The place is Coron, Palawan, Philippines. While on top of a hill, I took this shot of a boat in the very beautiful and clear waters of Coron.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
It is estimated that the current rate of species extinction is between 1,000 and 100,000 times more rapid than the average rate during the last several billion years. The growth of human populations, consumption levels, and mobility is the root of most of the serious threats to biodiversity today.
While learning about the negative impacts of humans on biodiversity, please keep a few things in mind. First, it is rare that humans intend to make a species go extinct, or to threaten biodiversity in some other way. Usually those impacts are the unfortunate by-products of people trying to provide a decent living for themselves, or to serve some other purpose. Second, in the last 30 years or so efforts to protect and preserve biodiversity have expanded exponentially. We will explore those efforts later in the module. As you learn about the current threats to biodiversity, resist the temptation to conclude that humans are simply foolish or short-sighted or greedy, and instead consider the larger pressures and systems that lead toward biodiversity loss.
H.I.P.P.O.
There are many threats to biodiversity today. The biggest ones can be remembered by using the acronym H.I.P.P.O.: Habitat Loss, Invasive Species, Pollution, Human Population, and Overharvesting.
Habitat Loss: This occurs when a particular area is converted from usable to unusable habitat. Industrial activities, agriculture, aquaculture, mining, deforestation, and water extraction are all central causes of habitat loss. This includes deforestation for wood for cooking food, such as we saw in the Module 2 discussion of biogas generators. Habitat fragmentation, the loss of large units of habitat, is also a serious threat to biodiversity. The picture below shows an example of habitat fragmentation in the Amazon rainforest.
The Mt. Pinatubo volcanic eruption has resulted in the loss of undetermine vital components of the tropical forest and marine waters of the Subic-Bataan National Park. It also resulted in the destruction of vast farmlands by its volcanic lava and subsequent lahar flows. Furthermore, agroecosystems that lie along typhoon paths suffer significant destruction annually
The catfish, locally known as "janitor fish", were originally introduced locally for aquariums but careless handling and weak controls allowed them to escape into the wild — just like scores of other animals and plants.
"The ecological threat of invasive species is so great, they could transform the landscape, wipe out native species and destroy the diversity of the ecosystem," said government wildlife specialist Anson Tagtag.
In the case of the suckermouth catfish, it has multiplied faster than local species while competing with them for food and building nests in mud banks, dirtying the waters.
Filipinos generally find janitor fish unpalatable so those that are caught by fishermen go to waste.
Other invaders, such as the water hyacinth, were brought into the country purely to decorate fishponds.
Now this floating water plant reproduces wildly, clogging water systems and preventing sunlight from reaching other aquatic vegetation.
Invasive Species: When an animal, plant, or microbe moves into a new area, it can affect the resident species in several different ways. New species can parasitize or predate upon residents, hybridized with them, compete with them for food, bring unfamiliar diseases, modify habitats, or disrupt important interactions.
the successful introduction of exotic species occurred in wetland ecosystems, particularly in lakes and rivers, and has been at the expense of the endemic and indigenous species either directly through predation, competition, and hybridization or indirectly through parasites and habitat alteration.
For instance, the original fish population of Caliraya Lake has disappeared with the introduction of the black bass, Microterus salmoides.
the successful introduction of exotic species occurred in wetland ecosystems, particularly in lakes and rivers, and has been at the expense of the endemic and indigenous species either directly through predation, competition, and hybridization or indirectly through parasites and habitat alteration.
Pollution: The discharge of toxic synthetic chemicals and heavy metals into the environment has a huge impact on species abundance, and can lead to extinctions. It’s important to remember that substances that are “natural” can become pollution when they are too abundant in a certain area. For example, nitrogen and phosphorous are important nutrients for plant growth, but when they concentrate in water systems after being applied as agricultural fertilizers, they can cause “dead zones” that are uninhabitable for fish and other wildlife. Also, carbon dioxide is a “natural” component of the atmosphere, but is considered a pollutant when emitted by human industrial activities.
Bioaccumulation is an important concept connected with pollution. This is the process of chemicals becoming increasingly concentrated in animal tissues as they move up the food chain.
Killer whales provide an example of how bioaccumulation can be a serious problem for biodiversity, and especially for marine mammals. Many agricultural and industrial chemicals are persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which do not seem to cause biological damage at very low concentrations. However, these POPs are easily incorporated into organisms like bacteria, phytoplankton, and other invertebrates at the bottom of marine food chains. As those organisms are eaten by fish, and fish are eaten by marine mammals, the POPs move up the food chain. If a killer whale eats 100 king salmon, she incorporates all the POPs that were in those salmon into her body tissues, meaning that over time the concentrations of POPs in her body can become quite high. At these higher concentrations, many POPs have been shown to cause disruptions to hormone levels and immune systems, and increase birth defects. Anything that eats high on the food chain (such as humans!) is at risk of impacts from bioaccumulation of toxins.
Oil slicks, however, inflict serious harm to marine habitats and their biota
Even useful non-pests and humans, as well , are threatened by this inappropriate farming method
Oil slicks, however, inflict serious harm to marine habitats and their biota
Even useful non-pests and humans, as well , are threatened by this inappropriate farming method
Human Population: In the year 1800 there were less than 1 billion people on earth, and today there are about 6.8 billion. Even without the vast increases in per capita resource use that have occurred during this period, the pressures on biodiversity would have increased during this time period simply based on population growth. While the impacts that each human has on biodiversity varies widely depending on the types and amounts of resources that he or she uses (as in the I=PAT equation), overall, increasing populations have lead to increasing threats to biodiversity.
Overharvesting: This includes targeted hunting, gathering or fishing for a particular species as well as incidental harvesting such as by-catch in ocean fisheries. The megafauna extinction example earlier was an example of overharvesting causing biodiversity loss.
Ocean fisheries have been particularly vulnerable to overharvesting during the post-WWII period because of technological developments like refrigeration, sonar, larger nets, and onboard processing. The cod fishery in the northwestern Atlantic Ocean was an important commercial fishery for hundreds of years, but only a few decades of intense harvesting using these new technologies in the late twentieth century led to a population collapse. The population declined by over 90%, and fishing for the species was closed in both Canada and the United States. The loss of a top predator like cod, along with reductions of other top predator fish populations like haddock and flounder, has led to an explosion in prey fish populations like herring, capelin and shrimp. Cod populations have not recovered, despite fishing pressures ceasing, and this observation has made researchers speculate that the ecosystem may now be in an alternative stable state that will prevent the recovery of cod populations any time in the near future.
As explained above, in most places more than one of these factors is having an impact on biodiversity. It often requires a closer look at a particular place to understand the interplay between habitat loss, invasive species, human population, pollution, overharvesting, and other factors that affect biodiversity.
In forests, commercial timber species (e.g., dipterocaps, kamagong, narra) as well as non-timber species (e.g., orchids, ferns, rattan, insects, birds, mammals) and animal products (e.g. birds’ nests, guano), are overharvested. Mangrove timber are overharvested for fuelwood, animals for trade (waterfowls, reptiles) and fish and shellfish for food. In the marine ecosystem, commercially important species, notably tuna, shellfish and other edible species are overharvested. Agricultural ecosystems are hard pressed to yield greater harvests to feed the teeming population. Protected areas are not spared the onslaught of overexploitation from the greedy hands of man because of economic realities.
noun1.smallness of quantity; scarcity; scantiness: a country with apaucity of resources.
2.smallness or insufficiency of number; fewness.
noun1.an inadequate supply; scarcity; lack: There is a dearth ofgood engineers.
2.scarcity and dearness of food; famine.