The document discusses the biodiversity of the Philippines, highlighting its status as a biodiversity hotspot with approximately 14,000 to 15,310 plant species, 3,308 to 3,325 vertebrates, and 34,940 to 35,000 invertebrates. It defines key terms such as endemic species, abundance, and species richness, noting the importance of preserving endangered species. The document also includes questions and challenges to assess understanding of biodiversity concepts.

1. Lesson 3.1
Biodiversity in
the Philippines

2. The Philippines is a biodiversity hotspot.

3. Learn about it!
Estimated Number of Philippine Species
14 000 – 15 310
Plants
3 308 – 3 325
Vertebrates
34 940 – 35 000
Invertebrates
6 100+
Others

4. Learn about it!
Endemic Species
• Endemic species are species
that are exclusively found in
a geographical area.
• An example of an endemic
species to the Philippines is
the Philippine eagle,
Pithecophaga jefferyi.

5. Learn about it!
Species Richness Abundance
Abundance refers to the number
of individuals in an area.
Coral reefs are rich in
biodiversity.

6. Learn about it!
Species Density
• Deserts typically have low
species density compared
to other ecosystems.

7. Learn about it!
How do these affect
biodiversity?
• The use of
resources can
change based on
the number of
species or
individuals present.

8. Endangered species are ones that have low populations,
or are being threatened to have dwindling populations.
Extinct species are ones that have disappeared from the
Earth.

9. Key Points
Species richness refers to species numbers.
1
2
3
Abundance refers to the number of individuals.
Density refers to the number of individuals in an area

10. Check Your Understanding
1. Species which can only be found in a certain place is called an
_______________.
2. _______________ are those organisms whose number of individuals in
the natural environment is lower than usual, close to extinction.
3. _______________ is the vanishing of a specific species on Earth.
4. _______________ pertains to the total number of individuals of a
species.
5. _______________ is the number individuals per species relative to the
area of a particular place.
Identify the following terms based on the given
information.

11. Challenge Yourself
A.Refer to the provided information to answer the questions that follow.
The figure below represents two sampling sites in Mt. Arayat surveyed to measure the richness
of its biodiversity. A total of 200 m2
area was surveyed per for each sampling site. Different
shapes within the two squares represent the different species and their number noted in the
areas.
1. What is the total number of species noted in Mt. Arayat?
2. Which species is the most abundant in Mt. Arayat?
3. Which is the densest species in the sampled area?

12. Photo Credits
Slide 5: This file, Sir Arny(Philippine Eagle) by Harrybalais is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via
Wikimedia Commons.
Slide 6: This file, Rotjan Enderbury Day 1 by Dr. Randi Rotjan, is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via
Wikimedia Commons.
Slide 6: This file, Coconut Plantation in Kalathur by Rajesh Thirupatthi is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via
Wikimedia Commons.
Slide 7: This file, Thar Desert Rajasthan India by sushmita balasubramani is licensed under CC BY 2.0 via
Wikimedia Commons.

13. Bibliography
Buot Jr., Inocencio E., and Elaine Loreen C. Villanueva. "Threatened Plant Species of Mindoro,
Philippines." IAMURE International Journal of Ecology and Conservation 14.1 (2015). Web. 07
December 2015.
Carpenter, K.E. and Springer, V.G. 2005. The Center of the Center of Marine Shore Fish Biodiversity: The
Philippine Islands. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 72(4): 467-480.
Johnson, G.B., and Raven, P.H. 2001. Biology: Principles & Explorations. Austin: Holt, Rinehart and
Winston.
Mader, S.S. 2014. Concepts of Biology. New York: McGraw-Hill Education.
Myers, N., Mittermeier, R.A., Mittermeier, C.G., da Fonseca, G.A.B., and Kent, J. 2000. Biodiversity
Hotspots for Conservation Priorities. Nature, 403: 853-858.

14. Bibliography
Reece, J.B. and Campbell, N.A. 2011. Biology. Boston: Benjamin Cummings / Pearson.
“Biodiversity.” Foundation for the Philippine Environment - Researches - Biodiversity - Why Are We
Losing Species?, Accessed April 22, 2018. fpe.ph/biodiversity.html/view/why-are-we-losing-
species.
Dasgupta, Shreya. “Earth - Ten Shocking Animal Diseases That May Threaten Species.” BBC, BBC, 27 Mar.
2015, Accessed April 23, 2018. www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150327-ten-scary-diseases-of-
animals.
Doherty, Tim, et al. “Invasive Predators Are Eating the World's Animals to Extinction – and the Worst Is
Close to Home.” The Conversation, Accessed April 23, 2018. theconversation.com/invasive-
predators-are-eating-the-worlds-animals-to-extinction-and-the-worst-is-close-to-home-64741.

15. Bibliography
Evolution and Natural Selection, Accessed April 23, 2018.
globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange1/current/lectures/selection/selection.html.
“Evolution of the Human Brain.” Stories, The Public Engagement Team at the Wellcome Genome
Campus, 13 June 2016, Accessed April 23, 2018. www.yourgenome.org/stories/evolution-of-the-
human-brain.
Extinction - Causes, Accessed April 22, 2018. people.uwec.edu/jolhm/EH4/Extinction/CausesLink.html.
jepeurii, /. “10 Unique Endemic Species in the Philippines.” It's More Fun in the Philippines, 3 Feb. 2015,
Accessed April 22, 2018. wesharewisdom.wordpress.com/2015/02/03/10-unique-endemic-
species-in-the-philippines/.
“Marine Biodiversity Wiki.” Aggregation and Marine Biological Value - Marine Biodiversity Wiki, Accessed
April 22, 2018. www.marbef.org/wiki/Aggregation_and_marine_biological_value.