Crowned
as the “Pearl of the Orient
Seas”, the Philippines is abundantly gifted
with natural resources. Its 7,107 islands are richly endowed with nature’s
wealth. Among these are rare species of plants and animals that can only be
found in the country. As a matter of fact it has been listed among the world’s
18 megabiodiversity countries due to its diverse habitats and high rates of
endemism. Furthermore, the country ranks 5th in the number of plant
species and is home to 5% of the world’s flora. Figures have also shown that
species endemism in the country is very high covering at least 25 genera of
plants and 49% of terrestrial wildlife. It also holds the 4th spot
in bird endemism. When it comes to marine resources, there are about 3,214
endemic species of fish which clearly supports to the fact that the Philippines is
part of the world’s center of marine biodiversity. A sure thing to be proud of, isn’t it?
But unfortunately, the Philippine biodiversity is also
one of the most highly threatened. It has been cited as one of the world’s
hotspots which translate to a large number of endangered and threatened species
making it one of the top global conservation priority sites. So, with this
gruesome truth that is painting the picture of Philippine biodiversity is a
call to act, a cry for help and a plea to care. Mother Nature begs for our
concern. Each one of us is a steward of Philippine biodiversity.
Biodiversity or biological diversity refers to the web of
life that encompasses all species on earth including the full-range of
ecosystems, their component species, and the genetic variety of those species
produced by nature or shaped by humans. It also defined as the variety of life
within species, between species and of their ecosystems. But then, what makes
biodiversity so important to our existence? Why should we be bothered of the
present plague that it is suffering?
Folks, biodiversity is life and biodiversity is our life.
Basically, without it, our existence as species in this world would not be
possible. In addition, it not only makes us exist but also aids us to survive.
We depend and obtain enormous benefits from it. It supplies our basic needs
such as food, shelter and clothing.
Biodiversity feeds the world. People acquire their daily
source of food from plants and animals. The Philippines
along with Malaysia and Indonesia
derive about 60%-70% of their animal protein intake from marine fisheries.
Biodiversity therefore is our food basket. If we continue to aggravate the
plague it is suffering, we would starve.
Biodiversity also heals. Plants have long been use as
medicine since the ancient times. In the Philippines, medicinal plants are
commonly used by folks in the rural areas for curing a variety of illnesses.
With the advancement brought by science and technology, researches done were
able to tap the natural components of medicinal plants and processed them into
drugs healing diseases that have long been dreaded. Improvement of the quality
of life and living has been achieved through the exploitation of nature’s
treasures.
Biodiversity also protects. It provides us ecological
goods for free such as the clean air that we breathe the potable water that we
drink and the fertile soil from which our food is derived. Nature also offers a
wide range of ecosystem services such as climate stability, maintenance of
ecosystems, soil formation and protection, pollution breakdown and absorption,
and nutrient storage and recycling. Life would not be possible without these goods
and services which biodiversity offers us without any cost. We are also able to
recover from climatic events such as La Niña and El Niño because biodiversity provides elements essential to cope with the
aftermath of these natural phenomena.
In addition,
Biodiversity is a key driver to economic prosperity. Since people yield crops
on the rich soil, harvest the rich aquatic resources and develop nature’s
wealth into products, biodiversity does not only provide our needs but also
gives us income. Ecotourism which largely depend on natural attractions brought
about by biodiversity is also a major economic player making jobs for people
and attracting investors towards the country.
Despite the profit
that biodiversity is bringing, it is still continually threatened by
anthropogenic impacts. The loss of Philippine biodiversity has been pointed out
to be the result of the following. First of the list is habitat destruction.
Anthropogenic activities leading to habitat destruction include destructive and
unsustainable practices such as logging, fires, land conversion, siltation,
destructive fishing methods and encroachment and occupancy in protected areas.
These abusive activities are also exacerbated by nature-wrought destruction
which is brought about by natural calamities like volcanic eruptions,
earthquakes, typhoons, and pests and disease. The Mt.
Pinatubo volcanic eruption has
resulted in the loss of undetermined vital components of the tropical forest
and marine waters of the Subic-Bataan
National Park. It also
resulted in the destruction of vast farmlands by its volcanic lava and
subsequent lahar flows.
Next in the
list is overexploitation. Overexploitation and non-sustainable use of our
country’s biodiversity is primarily induced by population pressure, poverty and
paucity of livelihood opportunities. Natural resources in our forests such as
commercial timber species as well as non-timber species and animal products are
overharvested. Mangrove timbers are also overharvested for fuel wood, animals
for trade and fish and shellfish for food. In the marine ecosystem,
commercially important species, notably tuna, shellfish and other edible
species are overharvested. Agricultural ecosystems are hard pressed to yield
greater harvests to feed the rapidly growing population.
Another
threat to biodiversity is pollution. Pollution is primarily brought about by
industrialization and urbanization. Chemical wastes from factories and domestic
wastes from homes are all dumped into our precious water resources which are home
to a rich variety of life. In addition, the introduction of new species also
causes biodiversity decline.
Weak
Institutional and legal capacities has also been pointed out to be a
contributor to biodiversity loss. Major drawbacks in biodiversity conservation
and sustainable use include inappropriate, overlapping, conflicting and
obsolete policies and institutions, shortage of technical expertise, shortage
of funds, weak information, education and communication capacities, inadequate
policy mechanisms and poor integration of research and development activities.
With major discrepancies in biodiversity conservation, the government is
strengthening its efforts to develop programs that will alleviate the
Philippine biodiversity’s plight.
Promising
as these approaches maybe, conservation efforts will never succeed in the long
run if the local economic needs of the people in and near threatened ecosystems
are not taken into account. You see, biodiversity conservation should go with
sustainable development. And sustainable development can be achieved through
biodiversity conservation.
Every bit of biodiversity gives mankind a
bunch of favors-favors that we get for free. It is due to this fact that people
abuse. We get more than what is enough for our benefit. We grow greed in our
hearts that is why even if we hear and even see the plight of biodiversity, we
still persist on harassing it. We clear forests for a better economy. We
destroy the natural habitat for urbanization and industrialization because we
had the wrong belief that these things will bring us progress. Pause. Think.
Consider. Could we really achieve real development if we impair our
environment? Could it be possible to attain a significant economic growth if
biodiversity is lost?
It
should not be believed that all beings exist for the sake of the existence of
man. On the contrary, all the other beings too have been intended for their own
sakes and not for the sake of something else. You’d probably heard of the
familiar saying, “Do not kill the goose that lay the golden egg.” Well, in this
case, biodiversity is the goose that is laying the golden egg. We should not
pursue its death rather we should take action towards its conservation and
preservation.
Biodiversity is definitely on
the edge of the precipice and working for its preservation is a critical task.
To save Philippine biodiversity is not the sole responsibility of the
government. It’s everybody’s business since everybody relies on it. I, you and
we hold the future by preserving Philippine biodiversity!
**Christine C. Balili's Qualifying entry to the 7th HEDCOR Environmental Essay Writing contest (November 2010) with coach Mrs. Christine Luz Boniao (Misamis Occidental National High School SY 2010-2011
No comments:
Post a Comment