BIO104 Laboratory First Assignment (Introduction to Ecology) NAME: Prieto, Princess Althea T. SCORE: Answer these questions: 1. Describe at least five of the major ecosystems in the Philippines. (25 points) - Some of the major ecosystems in the Philippines are Tropical Rainforest ecosystem, Freshwater ecosystem, Brackish ecosystem, Marine ecosystem, Grassland Ecosystems. Examples of Tropical Rainforest ecosystem in the Philippines are Luzon Rainforests, Palawan Rainforests, Mindoro Rainforests, Greater Negros-Panay Rainforests and etc. This ecosystem has very high annual rainfall, high average temperatures, nutrient-poor soil, and high levels of biodiversity (species richness). Tropical rainforests are characterized as hot, very humid, and wet. Freshwater ecosystems consist of lakes, rivers, ponds, wetlands, streams, and springs. It is an ecosystem characterized by low-salt content, making a suitable environment for various plants and animals. The animals and plants in freshwater habitat vary from the ones in the estuarine habitat. This is due to the salinity factor. Examples of this ecosystem in the Philippines are the Laguna de Bay, Lake Lanao, Lake Dapao, Lake Maragang, Agusan River Basin, and etc. Brackish ecosystems water condition commonly occurs when fresh water meets seawater. Examples of this are Mangrove swamp, Nipa swamp, many other places where seawater and freshwater mixes. Marine ecosystems, as the Philippines is an island country, we are very rich in marine ecosystems and the best example of this is Verde island in Batangas, it has been noted to be “the center of the center” of marine biodiversity in the world and some other examples of this ecosystem are Mudflats, Seagrass belts, Coral reefs, and etc. These ecosystems are the natural habitat of fish species and other marine organisms, where feeding, breeding, and spawning happens at incredibly productive levels. Lastly, Grassland Ecosystems, these ecosystems are found mostly on the peaks of some of the highest mountains, most notably Mt. Pulag in the Central Cordillera of northern Luzon. It is an area where the vegetation is dominated by grasses and other herbaceous (non-woody) plants and is made up of large open areas of grasses. 2. What abiotic factors might account for any differences between different types of habitats, such as disturbed and less disturbed hillsides? Explain briefly. (15 points) - Abiotic factors are nonliving components of an ecosystem that can significantly impact the differences between different types of habitats, and some abiotic factors that might account for these differences are mainly temperature, light, and water. Microclimates can develop based on the degree of disturbance and exposure to sunlight, variations of light intensity reaching the ground, and differences in water availability can alter the plant distribution and ecosystem processes. It can also be Soil Composition and Nutrient Availability for the terrestrial ecosystems and salinity and ocean currents for the marine ecosystems. Disturbed hillsides often have disrupted soil profiles due to activities like construction or agriculture. This can lead to differences in nutrient availability and soil structure compared to less disturbed hillsides. Less disturbed hillsides may have more diverse and well-developed soil profiles, providing better conditions for plant growth. It can also be pH and Chemistry where human activities can introduce pollutants that alter the pH and chemical composition of soil and water. Disturbed hillsides might have different pH levels and chemical characteristics compared to less disturbed ones. These factors can influence plant species composition and nutrient availability. REFERENCES: https://fpe.ph/biodiversity.html/view/the-lay-of-the-land-ecosystem-diversity-in-the-philippi nes https://sites.google.com/a/lincoln.edu.gh/biodiversity-hotspots-lcs-ess/philippines
