- Biodiversity is the amount of animals and plants that can be found on Earth. Both biotic and abiotic factors affect the numbers of biodiversity. Such that there are three factors that determine the density and resiliency of the biodiversity of an area: ecosystem, genetics, and species. The tight ropes that intertwine these factors are slowly wearing and could eventually tear due to the number of human activities that result in the deteriorating environment.
What is a Biodiversity Hotspot?
- Biodiversity hotspots are regions in the world that contain an abundant amount of species and habitats. Unfortunately, these are also regions in the world that are slowly being destroyed, alongside the species that made it its home. Biodiversity hotspots only occupy 2.3% of Earth’s land surface but contain 60% of the world’s plants, bird, mammal, and reptile species, 43% of vertebrates and 80% of amphibians. However, these hotspots are threatened by destruction due to human activities. For a region to be labeled a biodiversity hotspot, it must contain diverse ecosystems, genetics, and species, but must have lost at least 70% of its natural vegetation.
- Conservation is the study of the loss of a region’s biodiversity and how to restore and protect the affected region. It not only talks about the loss of biodiversity but also the ways on how to prevent such loss. This enables the protection to lessen the overexploitation and the deteriorating biodiversity.
What is a Local Protected Area?
- In the Philippines, certain areas are labeled as Local Protected Areas to protect areas that contain a diverse range of habitats and species. This is to make sure that the population of the species will not decrease and continue to grow, and their habitats are not destroyed due to damaging human activities.
- Each animal and plant plays an important role in our daily lives. They are the reason why we breathe clean air, get sunlight, feel the wind, and stay hydrated. They are the reason why we have a house to protect us, food to eat, and money to spend. Biodiversity is the center of human life and failure to protect it can result in irreversible damage, not only to the lives of these species, and to the environment, but to humans and their livelihood.
- Take part in environmental organizations and activities. Take action by protecting the environment around you. One simple share, retweet or reblog is a single step to bringing awareness about environmental issues. Educate yourself. Mind your trash. Conserve water and electricity. Lessen your carbon footprint by walking or using the bicycle instead of cars, avoid overconsumption, support local and organic shops. Encourage others to do the same. One simple act repeated many times by many people can spark a massive change.
Remember that the environment does not need humans, but humans need the environment. The environment is better off without us, but we need the environment to survive.
Biodiversity Philippines. (2016, September 9). Philippines as a biodiversity hotspot. - Information, Education & Research Studies on Biodiversity in the Philippines and Around the Globe. https://biodiversityphilippines.org/philippines-as-a-biodiversity-hotspot/
California Academy of Sciences. (2014, August 28). Conservation and the race to save biodiversity. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-u8xi7KFHY4
Merritt, M., Maldaner, M. E., & de Almeida, A. M. (2019, March 7). What are biodiversity hotspots?Frontiers for Young Minds. https://kids.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frym.2019.00029
National Geographic Society. (2019, April 11). Biodiversity hotspots. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/biodiversity-hotspots/
