sts3-1

MODULE 2
BIODIVERSITY AND THE

HEALTHY SOCIETY
BY: GROUP 2
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
DETERMINE THE INTERRELATEDNESS OF SOCIETY,
ENVIRONMENT, AND HEALTH
CREATE A DIAGRAM THAT WOULD SHOW THE

RELATEDNESS OF SPECIES IN FORMING UP A DIVERSE
AND HEALTHY SOCIETY WITHOUT COMPROMISING
ONE ANOTHER
IDENTIFY EVERYDAY TASKS AND EVALUATE WHETHER

THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELLNESS AND HEALTH OF
BIODIVERSITY AND SOCIETY OR NOT.
INTRODUCTION
There is a significant, ongoing global decline in biodiversity, with vertebrate
populations decreasing by 60% since the 1970s due to human activities.
By 2020, it is projected that wildlife populations will have declined by 67% from
their current numbers.
Human population growth, which has doubled since 1960 to 7.4 billion, is a major
cause of this decline. Industrialization of natural habitats, including marine
environments, leaves wildlife without suitable living spaces, leading to extinction.
The rate of wildlife extinction is occurring at an unprecedented rate. Experts warn

of a potential sixth mass extinction, where species are disappearing 1,000 times
faster than the natural rate.
INTRODUCTION
The extinction of species disrupts ecosystems, leading to harmful, chaotic
changes that affect the entire environmental system.
The text emphasizes the importance of understanding the interrelationship

between society, environment, and health. Neglecting one of these aspects can
negatively impact the others.
The message stresses the urgent need to address the pressing effects of species
extinction and the resulting ecosystem imbalance, highlighting the critical role
human activities play in either contributing to environmental destruction or
growth.
BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM
Biodiversity refers to the vast variety of life forms on Earth, including organisms of all
sizes, from single-celled to multi-celled. It also includes variability within species,
between species, and among ecosystems.
Biodiversity is essential for providing goods and ecological services that sustain life,
with direct value in food, agriculture, medicine, and industry.
Understanding biodiversity requires studying the relationship between living (biotic)

and non-living (abiotic) elements of ecosystems. An interdisciplinary approach is
necessary to fully grasp these interactions.
Biodiversity plays a crucial role in ecosystem sustainability. For instance, an abundance

of pests like golden snails in a rice field can predict low crop yields, while greater
species diversity indicates a more resilient ecosystem.
BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM
Humans rely heavily on biodiversity for daily needs, such as clean water, food, and
fuel. The ecosystem provides these essential products and services.
A significant decline in biodiversity directly impacts human life, as ecosystems

may no longer meet physical and social needs. Indirect consequences include
effects on livelihoods, income, and even political conflict.
The text underscores the importance of preserving biodiversity to ensure the

sustainability of ecosystems and, consequently, human survival and well-being.
CHANGES IN BIODIVERSITY
Alterations in biodiversity can have unpredictable effects on wildlife, marine life,
and human beings.
Human activities, such as inhabiting forests and clearing land, disrupt the natural
balance of ecosystems. This affects plants, animals, insects, and other life forms,
often leading to their displacement or death.
The loss of these life forms can harm the entire ecosystem, including damaging
the food chain.
Changes in biodiversity due to ecosystem disruption can ultimately affect human

health on various 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:
Habitat Loss and Destruction - Human inhabitation and land use for economic
purposes are major contributors to the destruction and loss of habitats.
Alterations in Ecosystem Composition - Sudden changes within species or the

environment can disrupt entire ecosystems, leading to species and habitat loss.
Over-Exploitation - Over-hunting, overfishing, and excessive collection of

species cause rapid declines, driven by unsustainable human consumption
patterns.
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:
Pollution and Contamination - Pollution causes slow but irreversible

damage to biological systems, negatively affecting spe - cies and
their environments.
Global Climate Change - Variability and changes in climate

contribute to biodiversity loss, potentially causing permanent
species extinction due to insufficient time for adaptation.
NUTRITIONAL IMPACT OF BIODIVERSITY
Biodiversity is essential to human nutrition due to its influence on
sustainable food production. Access to a variety of nutritious food is
crucial for maintaining health.
This link exists at multiple levels: ecosystems (food production as a

service), species within ecosystems, and genetic diversity within
species. Differences in nutritional composition between foods and
among varieties can affect the availability of micronutrients in diets.
High biodiversity is necessary for healthy, nutrient-rich local diets. The

availability of different food types ensures adequate nutrient intake.
NUTRITIONAL IMPACT OF BIODIVERSITY
Intensified food production methods, such as irrigation, fertilizers,
pesticides, and new crop varieties, can impact biodiversity, thereby
affecting global nutritional status and human health.
Habitat simplification and species loss can increase vulnerability to

poor health by making ecosystems less resilient to environmental
changes.
HEALTH, BIOLOGY, AND BIODIVERSITY
All living organisms, including humans, rely on the environment for
basic needs such as air, water, food, and habitat. Human evolution has
been shaped by improved access to these necessities.
Advances in agriculture, sanitation, water treatment, and hygiene have

had a greater impact on human health than medical technology.
While the environment sustains life, it can also cause diseases.

Hazards like pollution, toxic chemicals, unsafe drinking water, and poor
sanitation increase risks for illnesses such as cancer, heart disease,
and infectious diseases.
HEALTH, BIOLOGY, AND BIODIVERSITY
Poor sanitation and unsafe water lead to diseases like diarrhea,
cholera, and meningitis. In 2015, about 350,000 children under five
died from diarrheal diseases, and over 1.8 billion people consumed
water contaminated with feces.
Human health and biodiversity are intricately linked. The current loss
of biodiversity, occurring at an unprecedented rate, threatens the
balance between human health and the environment.
ENVIRONMENT-RELATED ILLNESSES
Environment-Related Illnesses: Numerous illnesses are linked to environmental
factors, including Parkinson's, heart disease, cancer, asthma, and malaria. Poor
environmental conditions such as pollution and unsafe water contribute to these
diseases.
Health-Related Environmental Impacts: Health-promoting activities like food

production and healthcare can harm the environment through pollution,
deforestation, overfishing, and energy consumption, leading to adverse ecological
effects.
Climate Change and Human Health: Climate change poses serious risks to human
health, impacting food systems and nutrient levels. Biodiversity strengthens
resilience to environmental changes, such as coral reefs reducing flood risks.
Ethical and Social Dilemmas: Balancing benefits and risks in health and
environmental actions raises ethical issues. For example, pesticide use increases
crop yields but poses risks to health and the environment, requiring careful
regulation.
Global Warming Challenges: Addressing global warming, such as reducing

greenhouse gases, could harm economies, leading to inflation and reduced
consumer spending. Social justice concerns arise as lower socio-economic groups
face greater environmental risks.
Protection of Vulnerable Populations: Environmental regulations must consider

vulnerable groups more susceptible to risks due to age, genetics, or health.
Protections should be carefully targeted to these populations.
Human Rights in Environmental Health Research: Ethical concerns
arise in research involving human subjects, especially when pesticide
companies test products on people. Consent and transparency are
crucial to ensure safety and ethics in such studies.
Need for Balanced Planning: A careful, workable plan of action is

needed to protect biodiversity while promoting public health, ensuring
that health efforts do not compromise the environment.
THANK YOU!
Leader: Vasquez, Mark Andrei
Members:
Avendano, Josh Ivan
Castro, Meriam
Panis, Jonamie
Pascua, Rolando
Sabado, Jac Elaine
Sabenecio, Raffy
Suba, Angelo
Tongko, Alyssa Andrea

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MODULE 2

BIODIVERSITY AND THE

CREATE A DIAGRAM THAT WOULD SHOW THE

IDENTIFY EVERYDAY TASKS AND EVALUATE WHETHER

The rate of wildlife extinction is occurring at an unprecedented rate. Experts warn

The text emphasizes the importance of understanding the interrelationship

Understanding biodiversity requires studying the relationship between living (biotic)

Biodiversity plays a crucial role in ecosystem sustainability. For instance, an abundance

A significant decline in biodiversity directly impacts human life, as ecosystems

The text underscores the importance of preserving biodiversity to ensure the

Changes in biodiversity due to ecosystem disruption can ultimately affect human

Alterations in Ecosystem Composition - Sudden changes within species or the

Over-Exploitation - Over-hunting, overfishing, and excessive collection of

Pollution and Contamination - Pollution causes slow but irreversible

Global Climate Change - Variability and changes in climate

This link exists at multiple levels: ecosystems (food production as a

High biodiversity is necessary for healthy, nutrient-rich local diets. The

Habitat simplification and species loss can increase vulnerability to

Advances in agriculture, sanitation, water treatment, and hygiene have

While the environment sustains life, it can also cause diseases.

Health-Related Environmental Impacts: Health-promoting activities like food

Global Warming Challenges: Addressing global warming, such as reducing

Protection of Vulnerable Populations: Environmental regulations must consider

Need for Balanced Planning: A careful, workable plan of action is

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