Environmental Science Activity 5: Applying Concept | 1 Everything is connected to everything else, said the First Law of Ecology. This law provides how we, not only human beings but everything on Earth, could impact another as we are all entangled similar to a spider’s web. One may have existed due to another and one may have ceased to exist because of that another. Our activities, albeit subtle, may have impacted others in certain ways. Simply speaking, the cause done by one will definitely affect another. May it be biotic or abiotic, in the parlance of environmental science, purpose compelled its existence — to influence others. The Food web comprises several food chains that describe the flow of energy from an organism to that of another organism. The flow of which is affected by consuming other organisms. Hence, the concept of producers and consumers. The former are organisms that have the capability to produce their own food by consolidating resources from the sun, soil, carbon dioxide, and water. Plants and trees are primary examples of these. On the other hand, the latter are those of organisms such as humans and animals that mainly acquire their energy by means of eating other organisms as they could not produce food for themselves. Furthermore, they could be classified as primary, secondary, and tertiary consumers as well as herbivores, carnivores, and omnivores, depending on which organism they consume. Hereunder is the food web which describes the flow of energy from one to another, effectively presenting the aforementioned terminologies and concepts, particularly in the Philippine setting. Activity 5: Applying Concept | 2 Legend Name Prey Predator Macaque Bat Flying Lemur Banana Tree Diamondback Moth Draco Lizard Bat Flying Lemur Cruciferous Plant Draco Lizard Bat Flying Lemur Leaves Eagle Crocodile Bearcat Draco Lizard Macaque Bat Tarsier Flying Lemur Diamondback Moth Draco Lizard Flying Lemur Eagle Diamondback Moth Draco Lizard Flying Lemur Banana Tree Eagle Crocodile Macaque Activity 5: Applying Concept | 3 Diamondback Moth Draco Lizard Bat Eagle Bat Flying Lemur Eagle Cruciferous Plant Banana Tree Leaves Bearcat Eagle Tarsier Cruciferous Plant Banana Tree Leaves Eagle Tarsier Crocodile Macaque Cruciferous Plant Crocodile Bearcat Macaque Cruciferous Plant Leaves Bearcat Crocodile Eagle Macaque Bearcat Tarsier Bat Flying Lemur Diamondback Moth Draco Lizard Activity 5: Applying Concept | 4 It is already inherent in us as an organism to consume other organisms, to change places, and to procreate as a way to survive. To consume is to obtain energy, to transfer is to find resources, and to produce is to preserve. In this ecosystem where competition, preying, and predatory prevails, organisms tend to strategize in order for them to acquire food and habitat for themselves and to be safe. Moving forward, hereunder are the following organisms found in the Philippine rainforest with their way of survival and role in the ecosystem thereof. Banana Trees Banana Trees are banana-producing trees that belong to the family of Musaceae, commonly seen in humid tropical places. Accordingly, they are considered herbaceous plants due to the non-woodiness of their stems. They possess such fleshy and upright stems where their leaves grow and produce fruit. Furthermore, they tend to bear showy flowers — mostly during spring — which turns into an elongated bunch of fruit (Myers, 2021). After such fruit was harvested, the tree was being cut down since their trunks each produce only one set of bananas. To survive, banana trees need the right location, the right temperature, soil, water, fertilizer, especially sunlight. According to the same author, banana trees tend to damage their leaves from strong winds, thus, they can not be planted on a site with strong winds. Moreover, they thrive the best if their surroundings are warm and humid, thus, they usually require a large amount of water but not too much to prevent their roots from rotting. Next, is soil mixed with fertilizer which will invigorate the plant with nutrients they will provide. Lastly, the sunlight. As mentioned above, these trees are fruit-bearing plants, hence, they are considered producers. Activity 5: Applying Concept | 5 Cruciferous Plant Cruciferous plants or vegetables are plants that belong to a genus, Brassica. Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, mustard, and radish are included in this genus. Various sources highlight how healthy consuming these types of vegetables are in human bodies, however, these do not only benefit humans but animals as well as one of the producers in the ecosystem. In order to survive, intervention from humans is usually needed. Most cruciferous plants are recommended to be planted on soil that can be slightly acidic. They also prefer being planted with plenty of space in between them and other plants. Furthermore, it was suggested to rotate the crops in different locations in order for them to avoid suffering from the same pests and diseases such as the diamondback moth. Then finally, these plants needed water and sunlight as well to be of help in the production of their foods. Activity 5: Applying Concept | 6 Leaves Leaves animals usually consume do not only refer to leafy vegetables but to those leaves from trees and plants as well. As plants, they are deemed producers in the ecosystem, providing foods for their own. However, they were prone to be consumed by the consumers, particularly herbivore animals. Analogous to that of preceding plants, leaves generally require an adequate amount of sunlight and soil to be able to produce their own foods. Activity 5: Applying Concept | 7 Philippine Jade Vine In addition to the aforementioned plants are Philippine Jade Vines or in its scientific name, Strongylodon macrobotrys, are hanging claw-shaped plants that are known to mostly bloom in damp rainforests within the Philippines. With their attractive color of green-blue, bats tend to drink their nectar during twilight, thereby leading to pollination and reproduction of the same. Accordingly, they are capable of bearing fruits with 6-7 seeds thereof. However, in the article published by Mendenilla (2021), these plants are on the verge of being endangered due to the prevalence of deforestation in the country. Thus, suggestions on how to protect and preserve these are provided. Since Jade Vines require an adequate amount of sunlight from the sun, they were recommended to be stored in a greenhouse where sunlight can be concentrated. Furthermore, as much as they need sunlight, they also ask for a sufficient amount of water for them to survive. Completing the requirements is the use of soil plus fertilizer to provide additional nutrients to the plant. Activity 5: Applying Concept | 8 Philippine Eagle Philippine Eagle is considered one of the largest of its kind in the world. Furthermore, they are titled as the national bird of the archipelago during the year 1995. As explicitly stated in its name, Philippine eagles are found only in the islands of the Philippines, specifically in the tropical and humid forests of the said country. As a consumer and carnivore, they acquire their energy and nutrients by eating monkeys, small animals, birds, as well as various reptiles. With regard to predators, other than humans, the destruction of their habitats is what endangers their lives and activities. According to a source, these animals strategize to hunt for prey such as pair hunting whereby one of them attacks the prey while the other one does something to distract the same. However, it was proved that such hunting can be dangerous since some of their prey tend to fight back, and flying alone can not guarantee their safety from injuries. Furthermore, eagles are surprisingly loyal to their mates unless one of them dies. Activity 5: Applying Concept | 9 Crocodile Crocodiles belong to Crocodylia — a reptile order — which mimics the physical attributes of lizards and are known to be carnivorous (Wermuth, 2021). They are commonly found in humid and tropical places, including the Philippines. As an animal that can not produce their own food, they mostly derive their energy from consuming small animals such as fish, birds, etc. Usually, the food provided to them is chopped off into small pieces as they do not have the ability to chew them. In order to catch their prey, they tend to surprise them by attacking them after they feel comfortable in the place, clamping them down through their big jaws, this is especially effective underwater since they are said to be fast swimmers. Macaque Macaques are part of Old World monkeys which are mostly endemic in Asia. They inhabit rainforests and even coastal forests or mangroves. With regard to their eating habits, they are said to be consumers of invertebrate animals, insects, as well as leaves. Macaques are also considered frugivorous in which they consume fruits they encounter in their habitats. These animals often live in groups, depending on their sizes. Furthermore, the males from them often dominate and lead the troops. Activity 5: Applying Concept | 10 Bearcat Palawan Bearcats or what they call Binturongs often find themselves habitats in various rainforests in Asia, mostly spending time on the top of the trees thereof. Bearcats are omnivores that primarily consume plants, leaves, as well as small animals like fish. Similar to monkeys, bearcats do have their whole body-long tails which serve as their support in climbing top of the trees. They may be predators but they could be prey as well. Thus, they have the capability to defend themselves aggressively. In addition to this, they assume the role of a spreader of seeds in the ecosystem. Tarsier Tarsiers belong to the family of Tarsiidae and the genus Tarsius. They are described as small animals with big two clear eyes and long fur-covered tails. These animals are often found in Southeast Asian regions, including the Philippines. Analogous to the preceding animal, Tarsiers are often seen clinging to a branch of a tree. Moving forward, they are known to be meat-eaters or carnivores which hunt Activity 5: Applying Concept | 11 not only insects but lizards and bats as well. To secure food, they just leap and grab their prey out of nowhere. Flying Lemur Flying Lemur is included in the family of Cynocephalidae and the genus of Cynocephalus. Their physical characteristics include a dark tone of skin and a flying squirrel-like body which helps them fly. They are commonly found in Mindanao, specifically in the forests, plantations, and groves thereof. Lemurs spend their time inside tree holes during the daytime and climb the same tree to find food at night. Speaking of food, they are herbivores that primarily consume saps, flowers, plants, and leaves. Philippine Naked-Backed Bat Naked-Backed Bat or Dobsonian Chapman is an animal commonly found in Negros and Cebu. During the 1970s, they were thought to have gone extinct since their habitats were destroyed and they were persistently hunted. However, the same was rediscovered in 2001. Accordingly, they were known as herbivores, thus, they mainly derive their food and energy from plants and fruits. Naturally, they are consumers and predators. According to a source, they could be one of the prey of some leopard cats, civets, and other omnivores that prey on small mammals. As a way to survive, their capability to fly is one Activity 5: Applying Concept | 12 of their advantages. Additionally, their commonly dark-colored skin helps them to camouflage through the night. They may be small and look weak, they assume the role of frugivores — to disperse seeds. Diamondback Moth Diamondback Moths are typically found in almost all of the regions in the world such as Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. These moths start from being an egg then larva to pupa, then adult. This cycle usually does not take much time but it still depends on the condition of the weather. According to a site, diamondback moths attack only cruciferous plants such as broccoli and some types of cabbages. They interact with plants in a way that their process of larval feeding damages the plants that are probably why they are considered pests. Draco Lizard Draco Lizards or Flying Dragons, as cited by a source, are animals that have long and slender tails that they utilize to steer and a feather-like body that allows them to fly. They are known to be insectivores in which they prey only on insects. Furthermore, since they are not an exception to various predators, they tend to use their capability to fly in order to avoid being caught. Among them all, males are proved to be territorial in which they chase their rivals to claim trees using their capabilities. With regard to females, although Draco Lizards do not usually land themselves on the ground, the females are required to do so in order to lay their eggs and protect their nest for a day. Activity 5: Applying Concept | 13 Visayan Spotted Deer Visayan Spotted Deer or Rusa Alfredi, is a species of deer that was found only in the middle island of the Philippines, Visaya. They were considered the rarest species found in the archipelago. Their physical attributes are described to have dark-brown skin and some spots on their body, hence the name. In addition to this, these animals are said to prefer inhabiting areas that have once undergone fires, landslides, or any other natural disturbances. As an organism that can not produce its own product, Visayan Spotted Deer is certainly a consumer, to be specific, a herbivore. They tend to eat succulent vegetation which eventually submerges after natural disturbances occurred in certain areas. Moving forward, their known predators are humans by means of hunting. Activity 5: Applying Concept | 14 References: Tayabak | Phillipines Jade Vine | Emerald Vine | Gardening (itslife.in) Jade vine: a beginner’s guide – Manila Bulletin (mb.com.ph) Philippines jade vine - The Living Rainforest Jade vine | Eden Project ADW: Dobsonia chapmani: INFORMATION (animaldiversity.org) ADW: Rusa alfredi: INFORMATION (animaldiversity.org) banana | Description, History, Cultivation, Nutrition, Benefits, & Facts | Britannica Banana Tree: Plant Care & Growing Guide (thespruce.com) Banana Trees Are Actually Giant Herbs (thedailymeal.com) What Are Cruciferous Vegetables: A Complete List Of Cruciferous Vegetables (gardeningknowhow.com) How to Grow Cruciferous Vegetables and Cole Crops | Gardener's Path (gardenerspath.com) Are Cruciferous Vegetables Healthy For You? – Cleveland Clinic 9 Health and Nutrition Benefits of Red Leaf Lettuce (healthline.com) Philippine Eagle | The Peregrine Fund Philippine Eagle - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio Philippine Eagle | imkidd | Flickr Philippine Eagle: The Animal Files World's largest crocodile dies in Philippines (phys.org) crocodile - Natural history | Britannica Crocodiles: Facts & Pictures | Live Science About macaques | Macaque care (nc3rs.org.uk) Macaques and baboons show success as models to study SARS-CoV-2 (drugtargetreview.com) macaque | Classification & Facts | Britannica Binturong | Potter Park Zoo What is a binturong? (mongabay.com) Palawan Bearcat (vigattintourism.com) Tarsier – Wisconsin National Primate Research Center – UW–Madison Tarsier Monkeys: Habitat, Diet & Facts | Study.com Tarsier Animal Facts | Tarsius - AZ Animals (a-z-animals.com) Philippine Tarsier and Wildlife Sanctuary | Corella | Philippines | AFAR flying lemur | Types, Adaptations, Diet, & Facts | Britannica Philippine Flying Lemur - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio diamondback moth - Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) (ufl.edu) Diamondback moth – Cesar Australia Draco Lizard (Flying Dragon) | National Geographic Flying dragon lizard a true gliding reptile - Australian Geographic https://www.slideshare.net/FrensheyWee/animal-species-in-the-rainforests-philippines-biodiversity-and-spe ciation Activity 5: Applying Concept | 15 https://www.cepf.net/our-work/biodiversity-hotspots/philippines/species https://www.animalsaroundtheglobe.com/animals-in-the-philippines/ https://www.projectnoah.org/missions/8266730 https://owt-thephilippines.weebly.com/tropical-rainforest.html Fruit Bats - Mammals - Animal Encyclopedia (worldanimalfoundation.com) Dietary Variation of Long Tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Telaga Warna, Bogor, West Java ScienceDirect Feeding crocodiles - NT.GOV.AU Pictures: Download Free png Picture Of Eagle Png - DLPNG.com Banana Tree Png Texture - Banana Tree Plant Png, Transparent Png - 1704x2038(#87040) - PngFind Rainforest Plant Adaptations (edtechlens.com) Cruciferous vegetables png images | PNGEgg SicKnitter: Tropical Staycation Draco lizard facts (the flying lizard) - The Pet Lizard Crocodile PNG (pngimg.com) Tarsier png images | PNGWing Plutella xylostella Archives | IRAC (irac-online.org) Meet the Colugo! Your new favorite animal - nature post - Imgur Bat PNG (pngimg.com) rhesus macaque macaque old world monkey new world monkey (subpng.com) Jade vine (ornamental plants propagate) — Steemit Philippine bare-backed fruit bat – Philippine Endangered (wordpress.com) Visayan Spotted Deer | Local Game From Visayan, Philippines | TasteAtlas Activity 5: Applying Concept | 16
