GEN 003: Science, Technology and Society
Student Activity Sheet
Lesson #16
Lesson title: Biodiversity and the Healthy Society Materials:
Student Activity Sheet, Course
Lesson Objectives: At the end of the lesson, you will be able to: Syllabus
1. Explain the role of biological diversity to the development of the
society and global environment. References:
Serafica, Janice Patria J. et al. (2018).
2. Determine the interrelatedness of society, environment and health. Science, Technology and Society. 1st
Ed. Philippines: Rex Book Store
3.
A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
1) Introduction (2 mins)
Welcome students! We will tackle our new topic for today about the importance of Biodiversity and its
effect to the biosphere. Try to reflect how are we going to contribute in the preservation/conservation of the
different organisms that exist in the community to balance the ecosystem. Goodluck!
B.MAIN LESSON
1) Activity 1: Content Notes (13 mins)
BIODIVERSITY
the richness and variety of life – of genes, species and ecosystem.
maintains the health of the earth and its people.
provides us with food & medicine and contributes to our economy.
the greater the variety of species, the healthier the biosphere.
is not evenly distributed, it varies greatly across the globe as well as within regions; among other factors, the
diversity of all living things depends on temperature, precipitation, altitude, soils, geography and the
presence of other species.
Understanding biodiversity within the concept of ecosystem needs a thorough study on the relationship
of living (biotic) and the nonliving (abiotic)organisms. Interdisciplinary approach is needed to study the
ecosystem. BIODIVERSITY plays a major role in this natural dynamics. For example, a large number of golden
snails in a certain area of a rice field can help predict a low production of rice harvest, since eggs of the golden
snails are considered pest for rice plant. On a positive view, the larger number of different species in a certain
area can be a predictor of sustainable life in that area. Sustainability of the ecosystem ensures a better survival
rate against any natural disaster. Therefore, we, as human inhabitants of the ecosystem, MUST PRESERVE and
CONSERVE THE BIODIVERSITY of all creatures.
CHANGES IN BIODIVERSITY
Alteration in any system could bring varied effects. A change in biodiversity could have erratic effects not
only in wildlife or marine life but also in human beings. For example, humans inhabiting the forest would
disturb the natural order of life. Trees and plants would be affected in the land–clearing operations where the
houses would be built. The animals, insects, and all types of life forms in the cleared area would be either be
displaced or most likely be killed. The loss of these life forms could affect the entire ecosystem governing that
environment. The food chain might be damaged. From this, we can clearly infer that when our ecosystem is not
This document is the property of Phinma Education Page 1
, GEN 003: Science, Technology and Society
Student Activity Sheet
Lesson #16
well taken care of, biodiversity encounters changes that may impact human health on such different levels.
THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY
There are major threats to biodiversity that were identified by the United Nations’ Environment Programme
(WHO, n.d.). These are the following:
1. Habitat loss and destruction. Major contributing factor is the inhabitation of human beings and the use of
land for economic gains.
2. Alterations in ecosystem composition. Alterations and sudden changes, either within species groups or
within the environment, could begin to change entire ecosystems. Alterations in ecosystems are a
critical factor contributing to species and habitat loss.
3. Over-exploitation. Over-hunting, overfishing, or over-collecting of species can quickly lead to its decline.
Changing consumption patterns of humans is often cited as the key reason for this unsustainable
exploitation of natural resources.
4. Pollution and contamination. Biological systems respond slowly to changes in their surrounding
environment. Pollution and contamination cause irreversible damage to species and varieties.
5. Global climate change. Both climate variability and climate change cause biodiversity loss. Species and
populations may be lost permanently if they are not provided with enough time to adapt to
changing climatic conditions.
Concept Graphic Organizer
Habiitat loss and destruction
Over-exploitation Alterations in
ecosystem composition
Pollution and
Global climate
contamination
change
This document is the property of Phinma Education Page 2
Student Activity Sheet
Lesson #16
Lesson title: Biodiversity and the Healthy Society Materials:
Student Activity Sheet, Course
Lesson Objectives: At the end of the lesson, you will be able to: Syllabus
1. Explain the role of biological diversity to the development of the
society and global environment. References:
Serafica, Janice Patria J. et al. (2018).
2. Determine the interrelatedness of society, environment and health. Science, Technology and Society. 1st
Ed. Philippines: Rex Book Store
3.
A. LESSON PREVIEW/REVIEW
1) Introduction (2 mins)
Welcome students! We will tackle our new topic for today about the importance of Biodiversity and its
effect to the biosphere. Try to reflect how are we going to contribute in the preservation/conservation of the
different organisms that exist in the community to balance the ecosystem. Goodluck!
B.MAIN LESSON
1) Activity 1: Content Notes (13 mins)
BIODIVERSITY
the richness and variety of life – of genes, species and ecosystem.
maintains the health of the earth and its people.
provides us with food & medicine and contributes to our economy.
the greater the variety of species, the healthier the biosphere.
is not evenly distributed, it varies greatly across the globe as well as within regions; among other factors, the
diversity of all living things depends on temperature, precipitation, altitude, soils, geography and the
presence of other species.
Understanding biodiversity within the concept of ecosystem needs a thorough study on the relationship
of living (biotic) and the nonliving (abiotic)organisms. Interdisciplinary approach is needed to study the
ecosystem. BIODIVERSITY plays a major role in this natural dynamics. For example, a large number of golden
snails in a certain area of a rice field can help predict a low production of rice harvest, since eggs of the golden
snails are considered pest for rice plant. On a positive view, the larger number of different species in a certain
area can be a predictor of sustainable life in that area. Sustainability of the ecosystem ensures a better survival
rate against any natural disaster. Therefore, we, as human inhabitants of the ecosystem, MUST PRESERVE and
CONSERVE THE BIODIVERSITY of all creatures.
CHANGES IN BIODIVERSITY
Alteration in any system could bring varied effects. A change in biodiversity could have erratic effects not
only in wildlife or marine life but also in human beings. For example, humans inhabiting the forest would
disturb the natural order of life. Trees and plants would be affected in the land–clearing operations where the
houses would be built. The animals, insects, and all types of life forms in the cleared area would be either be
displaced or most likely be killed. The loss of these life forms could affect the entire ecosystem governing that
environment. The food chain might be damaged. From this, we can clearly infer that when our ecosystem is not
This document is the property of Phinma Education Page 1
, GEN 003: Science, Technology and Society
Student Activity Sheet
Lesson #16
well taken care of, biodiversity encounters changes that may impact human health on such different levels.
THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY
There are major threats to biodiversity that were identified by the United Nations’ Environment Programme
(WHO, n.d.). These are the following:
1. Habitat loss and destruction. Major contributing factor is the inhabitation of human beings and the use of
land for economic gains.
2. Alterations in ecosystem composition. Alterations and sudden changes, either within species groups or
within the environment, could begin to change entire ecosystems. Alterations in ecosystems are a
critical factor contributing to species and habitat loss.
3. Over-exploitation. Over-hunting, overfishing, or over-collecting of species can quickly lead to its decline.
Changing consumption patterns of humans is often cited as the key reason for this unsustainable
exploitation of natural resources.
4. Pollution and contamination. Biological systems respond slowly to changes in their surrounding
environment. Pollution and contamination cause irreversible damage to species and varieties.
5. Global climate change. Both climate variability and climate change cause biodiversity loss. Species and
populations may be lost permanently if they are not provided with enough time to adapt to
changing climatic conditions.
Concept Graphic Organizer
Habiitat loss and destruction
Over-exploitation Alterations in
ecosystem composition
Pollution and
Global climate
contamination
change
This document is the property of Phinma Education Page 2
