The ecological imbalance in the Marikina River was caused by factors like deforestation, solid wastes, flooding, and rapid urban development. This imbalance affected water quality, organisms living in the river, and the pH and oxygen levels. To manage the river sustainably, elements like desilting, community education, flood control, and strict policies must be considered. These impact and influence different levels of organization from the earth system to the ecosystem, population, and organismal levels. Coordinated efforts across government, institutions, and communities are needed to balance environmental, social, and economic needs.

1. A. What are the elements that caused the ecological
imbalance in the Marikina River?
B. What are the elements that are affected by the
ecological imbalance in the Marikina River?
Solid wastes –
Litho and hydro
DEFORESTATION - bio
Frequent
Flooding
Water quality
Spread of informal
settlers
Depleting water
resources
Organisms living in the
Marikina River
pH level
Mineral
resources
Oxygen level
Improper land use,
management and
allocation – EaS
(Lithosphere)
Siltation – hydro/
litho
Eutrophication –
hydro and bio
Rapid Urban
Development
– EaS (Bio)
Lack of institutional
arrangements for
River Basin
Organization
Local folks
Population Growth
Water lilies
Janitor fish
Martiniko, ayungin,
and biya
Respiratory System, Reproductive
System, Digestive System
kangkong
introduction of invasive species
- bio
Water pollutants -
hydro

2. C. What are the elements that should be considered in
the sustainable management of the Marikina River?
desiltation
Community education
and participation
Flood control and
mitigation
Neutralization of
waste water
Implementation of
strict policies and city
ordinance

3. Water in Marikina
River
Water pollutants
and solid wastes
Rapid Urban
Development
Spread of informal
settlers
Population growth
Water in Marikina
River

5. Water pollutants
and solid wastes
Rapid Urban
Dev’t
Ecological
Imbalance
Spread of
informal settlers
Population
Growth
Government
and institutions
Implementation of
strict policies and city
ordinance
B

6. At what level of the organization should you include the
elements/factors you have identified to belong to?
i. Earth System: How do the Earth spheres (biosphere, lithosphere,
hydrosphere, and atmosphere) components influence the
Marikina River? Are there other systems that you identified
which have direct or indirect effects on the Marikina river? – Sir Emil
ii. Ecosystem Level – Mam Emelene
iii. Population level – Mam Jenine
iv. Organismal level With the organisms that you identified, what are the organs/
components of these organisms are being affected with the changes or interaction in
the Marikina River? – Mam Myrna
Water lilies
Janitor fish
Tilapia, martiniko, ayungin, and biya –
these species become extinct
kangkong
-the population increase
Organs under Respiratory System, Reproductive System, Digestive System

7. How do the elements in each level of organization are
related to each other? – Mam Mary Jane
● The ecological imbalance in the Marikina river was caused by the (elements
in A) which affects the (elements in B). This ecological imbalance can be
solved through (element in C)
How does each level of the organization affect the other level of the organization by moving up and
down the level? - Gecel
● Moving down

8. BIG QUESTION:
How can Marikina River be managed sustainably to create
environmental, social, and economic balance in the
community? – Sir Audie
Through the involvement of various sectors in addressing the problems in
Marikina River.
Through the cooperation and discipline of people living in the place. Maintaining it
clean, safe and productive watersheds.
Through well coordinated institution

9. SYSTEM MODEL
Marikina River
Industrialization
Rapid population
growth
DEFORESTATION
Marikina River

10. Water quality
Ph level
Dissolved oxygen
Janitor Fish
Human
Eutrophication
1. Water Resources
2. Food Security
3. Energy
4. Biodiversity
5. siltation
1. Water Pollution
2. Depleting water
resources
3.
Organismal Level
Population Level
Ecosystem Level
Earth System

11. High CO2
emission
Water quality
Oxygen level
pH level
Water pollution
Watershed
resources
Neutralization of waste water
Proper waste disposal

12. Water Pollution Depleting water
resources
Water Quality
(pH imbalance)
Earth System

13. Population Level
Population
Janitor Fish
Introduction of invasive
species
Eutrophication
Algal bloom
Human
Improper
waste
disposal