MODULE 9:

BIODIVERSITY
P R E PA R E D B Y: A S S T . P R O F. E M I LY M . C ATA L U N A , M A , R M T
Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the module, the student should have:

• Discussed the concepts of biodiversity;
• Determined the interrelatedness of society,
environment, and health;
• Discussed issues and factors affecting
biodiversity, particularly on genetically
modified organisms (GMO's).
Outline:
• Concepts of Biodiversity
• Importance of Biodiversity
• Threats of Biodiversity
• GMO’s
 Concepts of Biodiversity
Biodiversity
• Variety of organisms that make up the
natural world
• Compose of several levels: genetic
diversity, species diversity and ecosystem
diversity
Genetic diversity
• the variation of genes present among
individuals of the same species

Why genetic diversity important?

Gene pool
- Is the complete set of genetic information
within a population of a given species or
within the species itself.

- The greater the gene pool, increase

diversity, increase chance of organism to
flourish
 What happen if gene pool is small/shallow?
• inbreeding

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Genetic bottleneck
- drop in population; reduced genetic diversity;
increase vulnerability to environmental changes
and diseases
Species diversity
• variety of species within a habitat/region

Keystone species
• Organisms that helps define an entire ecosystem
Ecosystem diversity
• variety of different habitats, communities
and ecological processes
 Importance of Biodiversity

• Why biodiversity is important?

Ecosystem services is divided into categories:

1. Provisioning
2. Regulating
3. Cultural
4. supporting
 Threats to biodiversity
• Human-induced threats
- Local or global

Carrying capacity
- Capacity of earth to sustain needs of living
entity
• Pollution
• Introduction of exotic species
• Advent of technology
 Genetically Modified organisms
• is an animal, plant, or microbe whose
DNA has been altered using genetic
engineering techniques.
https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/
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Instruction: Watch the documentary film entitled 10 Years of
Failure, Farmers Deceived by GM Corn (see previous sections of this
module for the link). Work as a team and incorporate all your
reactions and answers to the guide questions below based on the film.
1. What are genetically modified organisms and why are
they so controversial?
2. Why should we be aware of this technology and take into
consideration its environmental, moral, and ethical issues?
3. What concerns do the government and the people they
serve have about these new technologies?
4. Should we embrace GMO as a saving grace or is it to be
feared as a possible threat to the sustainable food supply?
Study:
Philippine policies in relation to
GMO’s
• Humans are dependent upon healthy biodiversity,
for good health and welfare.
• Biodiversity is threatened by human-induced
factors.
• Biotechnology can support our increasing demand
for resources, however, can also be detrimental to
biodiversity with the utilization of Genetically
Modified Organisms (GMOs)
• Individuals must be aware of the implications of GMOs
to provide a sustainable strategy for food security and
promoting biodiversity conservation.
REFERENCES:

Amini, S., Sharafi, S., Komeili, H. R., Tabaee, N.A. (2014). Effects of biotechnology on
biodiversity. International Journal of Farming and Allied Sciences 3, 8, 910-915.
Australian Museum. (2020). What is biodiversity?. Retrieved from, 
https://australian.museum/learn/science/biodiversity/what-is-biodiversity/
Beyer, L. (2014). Unsafe and insecure: GMOs and their implication on the filipino people's
food security. Retrieved from, 
https://www.slideshare.net/PNFSP/gmos-and-their-implications-on-the-filipino-peoples-fo
od-security
California Academy of Science. (2014). Biodiversity ecosystems and ecological networks.
Retrieved from, www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bE-Pydad7U.
California Academy of Science. (2014). Conservation and the race to save biodiversity.
Retrieved from, www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u8xi7KFHY4.
California Academy of Sciences. (2014). Ecosystem biodiversity. Retrieved from
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California Academy of Science. (2014). Ecosystem services. Retrieved from,
www.youtube.com/watch?
v=BCH1Gre3Mg0&list=RDCMUCZvXaNYIcapCEcaJe_2cP7A&index=2.
California Academy of Science. (2014). Genes and biodiversity. Retrieved from,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOxsjdB4-ZQ&t=12s.
California Academy of Science. (2014). Human activities that threaten biodiversity. Retrieved
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California Academy of Science. (2014). Introduced species and biodiversity. Retrieved from,
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Chivian, E. & Bernstein, A. (2010). How our health depends on biodiversity. Center for
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Desonie, D. (2019). Roles in an Ecosystem. Retrieved from, 
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HS-ES/.
DOST-Biosafety Committee. (2014). The Philippines biosafety guidelines for contained use
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%20Contained%20Use%20of%20Genetically%20Modified%20Organisms-optimized.pdf
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Furlan, E., Stoklosa, J., Griffiths, J., Gust, N., Ellis, R., Huggins, R.M., Weeks, A. R. 2012.
Small population size and extremely low levels of genetic diversity in island populations
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GMO Answers. (2013). How are GMOs made? Retrieved from, www.youtube.com/watch?
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Cartagena Protocol on biosafety (2004). Retrieved August 8, 2020, from https://
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monitoring & analysis. University of Idaho. Retrieved from 
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tion&Diversity)/9_2_Biodiversity.htm
Lumen Learning. (n.d.). Population genetics. Retrieved from, 
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Masipag Advocacy. (2013). GM corn in the Philippines. Retrieved from,
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National Geographic. (2019). Role of keystone species in an ecosystem. Retrieved from, 
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BibblioRCM_Row.
National Wildlife Federation. (n.d.). Ecosystem services. Retrieved from 
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cosystem-Services
Neuman, R.P. (2009). Biodiversity. International Encyclopedia of Human Geography, 308-
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PBS NewsHour. (2014). Golden rice in the Philippines. Retrieved from,
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