The document discusses the human impact on forests and ecosystems in the Philippines. It provides details on deforestation rates in Davao Oriental province, examples of invasive species like cane toads and lantana that negatively impact endemic plants and animals, and the importance of natural fires in regulating forest growth. It also describes actions the Philippine government is taking to protect remaining forests, such as integrated protected area systems, plus tree selection programs, and institutional frameworks for forest genetic resource conservation.
The document discusses the human impact on forests and ecosystems in the Philippines. It provides details on deforestation rates in Davao Oriental province, examples of invasive species like cane toads and lantana that negatively impact endemic plants and animals, and the importance of natural fires in regulating forest growth. It also describes actions the Philippine government is taking to protect remaining forests, such as integrated protected area systems, plus tree selection programs, and institutional frameworks for forest genetic resource conservation.
The document discusses the human impact on forests and ecosystems in the Philippines. It provides details on deforestation rates in Davao Oriental province, examples of invasive species like cane toads and lantana that negatively impact endemic plants and animals, and the importance of natural fires in regulating forest growth. It also describes actions the Philippine government is taking to protect remaining forests, such as integrated protected area systems, plus tree selection programs, and institutional frameworks for forest genetic resource conservation.
The document discusses the human impact on forests and ecosystems in the Philippines. It provides details on deforestation rates in Davao Oriental province, examples of invasive species like cane toads and lantana that negatively impact endemic plants and animals, and the importance of natural fires in regulating forest growth. It also describes actions the Philippine government is taking to protect remaining forests, such as integrated protected area systems, plus tree selection programs, and institutional frameworks for forest genetic resource conservation.
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Joanna B.
Avila October 20, 2022
BSCE-2B
STS 11- People and Earth’s Ecosystem
THE HUMAN IMPACT OF VEGETATION
MODULE 2: ACTIVITY 2
Application:
a. Describe the forest change in Davao Oriental? (Please indicate your sources)
One of the key ways that humans have altered our environment is by the deliberate destruction of our forest. Since pre-agricultural times, the world's forests have decreased from 5 to 4 billion hectares, or roughly one-fifth of its pre- agricultural size. This drop is seen from the greenery to cement, buildings, and highways. The forest in Davao Oriental continues has also the same problem when it comes to forest change. Global Forest Watch reports that Davao Oriental had 345kha of natural forest covering 88% of its geographical area in 2010. In addition, it lost 2.03kha of natural forest in 2021, which is equal to 1.31Mt of CO2 emissions. Deforestation is just one of the numerous causes of this alteration in the forest.
b. Give 3 examples of invasive species found in the country and describe how they affect endemic species.
The ecosystem in the jungle is calm and stable, and the soil is so nutrient- rich that plants can quickly grow there. In the jungle or forest, each plant and animal plays a specific role or purpose that keeps their population under control. For instance, the herbivores that eat plants keep their population in check, and in the meantime, predators consume the herbivores to keep their population under control. This makes the ecosystem in the forest balance, however, here comes the invader or invading species that are not necessary which makes the ecosystem unbalance because they do not have natural predators, hence, allowing their reproduction to quickly increase in numbers. Below are the 3 examples of invasive species found in the country and how they affect endemic species. 1. Cane toads- Cane toads originally found in Southern America but it has reached Philippines because it was transported in the country to eat pests since there are more pests that are destroying the crops like sugar cane. However, the existence of it in the country soon brought problem especially in the ecosystem. Cane toad, as an invasive species, became poisonous and detrimental to the ecosystem and in the endemic species. The animals or endemic species may go extinct as a result of the presence of cane toads because it competes with native species for scarce resources and finally disrupts the habitat.
2. Lantana- originated somewhere else than Philippines and was delivered to
the country as part of a program for the exchange of decorative plants between Hawaii and Philippines. Like the cane toad, it presented a great concern in the ecosystem since it also endangers the native plants to go extinct which decreases biodiversity, alter the ecosystem and affects the endemic species such as the native plants as it became poisonous with no control in its population.
3. Spiraling whitefly (Aleurodicus dispeures)- This invasive species accidentally
introduced with the importation of ornamental kalanchoe in the 1970s. This invasive species affects the endemic species especially the vegetables and ornamentals because it reproduces quickly while harming the native plants and ornamentals.
c. Discuss the importance of natural fire and its impact on the environment. (Site an example)
Fires happen naturally, such when lightning strikes. Others could burn spontaneously as a result of the ecosystem's dense vegetative accumulations being compressed, degraded, producing heat. Boulders falling to the ground could start a forest fire. Because it was crucial in the development of many main forms of vegetation, including savannas and pine forests, as well as in affecting how ecosystems function, fire is also vital to vegetation. Fire might support dormant seeds in germination as well. Additionally, it can change seedbeds to the advantage of other plant species. Additionally, it might cause many woody and herbaceous species to produce seeds and increase vegetative reproduction. Sanitization refers to the process of controlling parasites, fungi, and insects in forests using fire. Additionally, it alters the physicochemical environment of the plants and stimulates the flowering and fruiting of many shrubs and herbs. Above all, fire might lead to more diverse species. It's not necessary for the fire to be a villain; rather, a controlled fire benefits our wild lands and is actually essential to the existence of various species. For instance, fire clears the forest floor of detritus, low-growing underbrush, and other plant life while also exposing it to sunshine and nourishing the soil. Existing trees can get stronger and healthier by reducing this competition for resources. History informs us that woods had fewer, larger, healthier trees hundreds of years ago. Although there are more trees in forests now than in the past, they are not as big or healthy. For nutrients and room, mature trees must compete with undergrowth. d. Describe the forest ecosystem change of the Philippines The Philippines were historically covered in 97% tropical rainforests during the time of Spanish colonization. These forests were mostly made up of the four main forest flora types: dipterocarp, mangrove, pine, and mossy. The most economically significant species of dipterocarp vegetation are the trees. More than 15 million hectares of secondary and undisturbed woods made up around 70% of the entire area of forests in the 1900s. 50% of the original forest cover was still there by the end of World War II. A total of roughly 15 million hectares of forest were lost between 1900 and before 2000. The country currently only has 6 million hectares left. Only a little more than a million hectares of primary woods are left today. e. Describe the concrete actions of the Philippine government to protect our remaining forest?
The forests of the Philippines are among the planet's most biodiverse terrestrial ecosystems, as is well recognized and documented. The social and economic growth that results in forest loss and degradation, such as livestock grazing, shifting agriculture, cash crops, etc., poses a severe threat to these forests. The Philippine government, thankfully, is cognizant of the distinctiveness and great diversity of the nation's woods, which has prompted them to offer specific recommendations on how to safeguard our remaining forests. The Philippine government has taken the following specific steps to save and conserve our surviving forests.
National programmes for conservation and management of
forest genetic resources
Activities for improving trees and conserving genetic resources
are included in national reforestation programs in the Philippines, however these programs are not precisely defined. Due to a predilection for natural regeneration techniques like seed trees for pines and selective logging for dipterocarps, the breeding of forest trees has historically received less attention than it deserves. However, changes in socioeconomic and environmental factors have encouraged more intensive plantation strategies that call for attempts to conserve genetic resources and develop certain types of trees.
Integrated protected area systems
The creation of an integrated protected area system is the
primary method used in the Philippines to protect and conserve biodiversity (IPAS). The IPAS was established to safeguard and conserve a sample of each of the nation's ecosystems, habitat types, and associated plant and animal species. The Parks and Wildlife Bureau were established by Executive Order 192 to coordinate government efforts to preserve biological variety in the network of protected areas. Plus tree selection
Additionally, trees are continually being chosen throughout
the Philippine archipelago. The selection criteria are based on morphology and pest and disease resistance, although there haven't been many attempts to grow the chosen trees in nurseries. Plus trees from 23 species were chosen in 1991 from eight administrative districts of the nation. The identification and documentation of 38 seed production areas (SPA) is complete. 61 locations for 19 different tree species' seed production have also been discovered by the Forest Management Bureau (FMB). Plans are also being developed to enhance the genetic makeup of these SPAs. Although seed is being gathered from chosen plus trees and SPAs, there is currently no system in place to track the transfer of germplasm and its performance once planted.
Institutional framework for conservation of forest genetic
resources
DENR is in charge of leading government initiatives for tree
breeding and propagation, with assistance from ERDB and the Forest Management Bureau. The primary duty of DENR is to advance the welfare of the Filipino people via social equality, efficient forest management, and sustainable development of the nation's forest resources. By conducting research and providing government employees with both academic and practical training, numerous state universities and colleges also supports DENR.
f. Discuss the importance of grazing animals and its effect to the environment.
Many animals used some grassland around the world as natural
grazing grounds. However, the development of pastoral economies had an impact on global vegetation patterns. However, light grazing is advantageous to vegetation. Succulent sprouts are able to grow. It might also lead to effective seed dispersal. Because of the passage of grazed plants in the stomach, it may also increase the quantity of nitrogen in the herbage area. By creating new niches, it can potentially lead to an increase in species variety. However, excessive grazing harms the vegetation. When the weather is dry, excessive trampling will cause the size of the soil aggregates to decrease. Water erosion and soil damage could potentially be accelerated. Additionally, it can cause plants to die or have their photosynthesis significantly reduced while allowing woody and toxic plants to encroach. It could, most importantly, change a vegetated environment into grazing grassland. REFERENCES:
