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Index for Philippine Biodiversity Book

Page history last edited by PBworks 16 years, 10 months ago
Index for Philippine Biodiversity Book

 


Description and Rationale

 

Philippine Biodiversity: Principles and Practice is a book that was written by Lawrence R. Heaney and Corazan Catibog-Sinha. It is a very useful book, but it’s lacking one very important thing—an index! An index is a crucial thing for a reference book, and should include plants and animals, their common names, their scientific names, and the page on which information on them can be found. As well as this information, it would be handy to include subjects that the reader might be interested in, such as mining.

 

What would the benefits of adding an index to this book be? Obviously, readers would be able to find the info they are looking for in the book much more quickly. It would take quite a while to find one particular subject in a book that’s 450 pages long. An index can save a lot of time and headache, and life’s short. Someone who has a specific research interest, or a certain category which they are curious about, would find an index an immensely helpful resource.

 

This initial process of this project was to email one of the authors of this book, Mr. Heaney, and ask him why an index was not made in the first place, if one was being made at the moment, and if not, if he’d have any objections to one being made. His response was this: “I'm glad to hear that our book is being used in the way you describe - this is just what we had hoped for.  As for making an index for the book, that sounds great to me. As nearly as I can recall, we did not do an index because we ran out of money and time, not for any other (better) reason.  At any rate, perhaps Cora will have some ideas about this.  If you do proceed to make the index, I would be very happy to receive a copy.” The next step is to actually begin on the index. The book will be gone through and the important areas highlighted and recorded onto a separate data sheet. That data will then be typed up on the computer, and alphabetized. A final copy will be neatly presented on the due date.

 

It is hoped that by bringing an index to this book on Philippine biodiversity, many will be benefited and inspired to do what they can to preserve the natural habitat of millions of plants and animals on the archipelago.

 

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Biology

 

Name of the Book and Background of the Authors

The book for which an index is going to be made is called Philippine Biodiversity: Principles and Practice. The title is self-explanatory, as the book is about the Philippines and the different kinds of life unique to it. The authors of the book are Lawrence R. Heaney and Corazon Catibog-Sinha. Heaney has been Curator (or manager) and Head of the Division of Mammals at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois, where he has been a member of the staff for nearly twenty years. His research focuses on the evolution, ecology, and conservation of mammals in island ecosystems, and he has directed numerous training programs on the conservation of biological diversity. He began conducting field research in the Philippines as early as 1981.

 

Catibog-Sinha is currently a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Management and Sustainable Tourism at the University of Western Sydney. Before she moved to Australia, she worked with the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources in the Philippines for twenty years in various capacities. She also taught biological and environmental sciences at the University of the Philippines at Los Banos and De La Salle University.

 

Purpose of the Book

The purpose of the book, according to the authors, is to promote the maintenance of high biodiversity and endemism and reverse the trend in biodiversity loss in the Philippines, through production of a general reference book. Also, they wish to contribute to a better and broader understanding of biodiversity in the Philippines and promote improved management strategies to reverse biodiversity loss.

 

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Chapter Breakdown

The book consists of twelve chapters, closing with a list of literature cited. There are colorful illustrations along the way.

 

Chapter 1—Introduction

 Chapter 1 consists of an overview of the book, an explanation of the need for a  book on Philippine biodiversity, clarification on the objectives of the book, and  details on the content.

Chapter 2—What is Biodiversity

 Chapter 2 consists of an introduction to the topic, the scientific construct of  biodiversity, biodiversity as a product of human activities, expanding the means  of biodiversity, environmental ideologies, the paradigm shift (or a switch in  problem solving methods), and to wrap it up, a summary of the chapter.

Chapter 3—Biodiversity at the Species Level

 Chapter 3 consists of an introduction to the topic, an estimated answer on the  question “how many species are there?”, expansion on the fact that there is  uneven knowledge about species diversity, answers on the question “why are  species counts/estimates not consistent?”, an explanation on endemicity and high  species endemicity in the Philippines, talk about the rarity in species, answers to  the questions “where is biodiversity concentrated?” and “why is biodiversity  unevenly distributed?”, and finally, a summary of the chapter.

Chapter 4—Biodiversity at the Genetic Level

 Chapter 4 consists of an introduction to the topic, answers to the questions “what  is genetic diversity?” and “how much genetic variation is present in Philippine  fauna (or the animals of a given region as a whole)?”, the impact of the loss of  genetic diversity, answers to the question “what are the causes of the loss of  genetic diversity?”, an account of the genetic diversity in agricultural production,  enlightenment on genetic diversity and forest production, genetic resources of  medicines, advice for searching for future resources, genetic technology, and  finally, a summary of the chapter.

Chapter 5—Threatened Species

 Chapter 5 consists of an introduction to the topic, ICUN Red List categories and  criteria, expansion on extinction, answers to the question “what species  characteristics influence the likelihood of extinction?”, and a summary of the  chapter.

Chapter 6—Biodiversity at the Ecosystem Level

 Chapter 6 consists of an introduction to the topic, answers to the question “what is  an ecosystem?”, biodiversity and ecosystem processes, ecosystem quality and  ecological conditions, important environmental indicators, species as indicators of  ecosystem conditions, an overview of other species useful in promoting  conservation, the integration of several indicators, and a summary of the chapter.

Chapter 7—Biodiversity in Philippine Ecosystems: Status and Threats

 Chapter 7 consists of an introduction to the topic, the current state of ecosystems,  expansion on the forest ecosystem and the forest ecosystem in the Philippines,  expansion on the grassland ecosystem, expansion on the wetland ecosystem,  expansion on the agricultural system, and a summary of the chapter.

Chapter 8—Biodiversity at the Landscape Level

 Chapter 8 consists of an introduction to the topic, answers to the question “what is  a landscape?”, major characteristics of landscapes, species diversity in a  landscape, theories in landscape ecology, ecological corridors, cultural landscape,  landscape under stress, alien species in the Philippines, studying landscape   patterns, rehabilitation and enhancement of land-based ecosystems, and a  summary of the chapter.

Chapter 9—Why Conserve Biodiversity

 Chapter 9 consists of an introduction to the topic, values and perceptions of  biodiversity, an explanation of biophilia: connecting with nature, expansion on the  multiple values of biodiversity, an explanation on the value of ecosystem goods,  Philippine economic benefits from ecosystem goods, the value of ecosystem  services, the undervaluation of biodiversity, incentives and disincentives, valuing  biodiversity in the Philippines (funding mechanisms), sustainable use of  biological resources, economics and biodiversity, and a summary of the chapter.

Chapter 10—In Situ Conservation Measure: Protected Areas

 Chapter 10 consists of an introduction to the topic, answers to the questions “what  are protected areas?”, international classification system of protected areas, the   Philippine National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS), the number and  extent of protected areas—gaps, buffer zone of protected areas, indigenous people  in protected areas, community-based protected areas, initial implementation and  management of NIPAS sites, evaluation of the NIPAS program, marine protected  areas, Philippine biodiversity corridors, protected area assessment and  monitoring, protected areas and tourism, linking tourism and biodiversity,  ecotourism in the Philippines, ecosystem/landscape management, and a summary  of the chapter.

Chapter 11—Ex-Situ Conservation of Biodiversity

 Chapter 11 consists of an introduction to the topic, answers the question “why ex- situ conservation?”, gives guidelines for ex-situ conservation, Ex-situ  conservation facilities, Ex-situ conservation of Philippine wild fauna, and a  summary of the chapter.

Chapter 12—Priorities and Actions

 Chapter 12 consists of an introduction to the topic, some conservation priorities,  expansion on threatened species, biodiversity hotspots, centers of plant diversity,  endemic bird areas, important bird areas, key biodiversity areas and alliance for  zero extinction sites, conservation priority areas for land mammals, conservation  priority areas for herpatofauna, conservation priority areas for arthropods and  butterflies, conservation priority areas for marine biota, conservation priority   areas for inland waters, centers of agricultural diversity, priority-setting in the  Philippines: process and output, and a summary of the chapter.

 

Literature Cited

 

 

Information on the Philippine Ecosystem

The Philippine Archipelago is considered one of the most biologically and culturally diverse countries in the world. Endemics are species restricted to a defined place, and the Philippines may have the greatest concentration of island endemism in the world. The great natural wealth of the Philippines is in its ecosystems. The coral reefs of the Philippines are considered the richest in the world. The Philippines not only hosts a remarkably large number of species, but also probably supports the greatest concentration of unique biological diversity currently known on the planet. Skipping a study of one island’s ecosystem may be equivalent to losing an entire country’s biodiversity elsewhere.

 

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Environmental Problems

Excessive amounts of resource using after WWII has wrought much damage on irreplaceable Philippine natural resources. Excessive disforestation, along with logging, shifting cultivation, land-use conversion, species invasion, urbanization, industrialization, and pollution have rapidly changed Philippine landscape in the last 50-150 years, making it significantly human-influenced and patchy.

 

The root causes of biodiversity loss include escalating demands for natural resources, failures of the policy-makers and market economy to provide the appropriate value of natural resources, and subsequent loss of incentives for communities to protect biodiversity. Also, the rapidly increasing Philippine population (projected to be at 94 million people in 2010) has influenced the amount of resources used. While population growth is a major determinant of environmental and landscape deterioration, it is probably how people behave and value nature that more strongly influences this problem.

 

Reproduction

The conservation group that copies of this book are available from, the Haribon Foundation, has this to say about themselves:

 

“Biodiversity is the wealth of life forms found on earth: the millions of different plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain, and the intricate ecosystems that they form.

 

“Simply put, biodiversity IS life. Haribon’s work in biodiversity conservation seeks to protect that life through four core strategies: Saving Sites, Saving Species, Working with People, and Advocacy.”

 

The actual publishing company is called Studio Graphics.

 

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The Need for a book on Philippine Biodiversity

With more information and more adequate understanding of biodiversity, people will be able to better appreciate the ecological, social, and economic significance of biodiversity in the country, as well as realize the rapid loss of the natural resources.

 

The book states that one of the most effective means to complement increasing research interest in and strong commitment to biodiversity conservation, specifically among young Filipinos, is through the availability of comprehensive and comprehensible reference materials upon which formal and informal education and more in-depth research can be built.

 

Importance to People

If an index was to be made for this book,  it would be much easier for someone (whether they were trying to research a specific item or just curious about a certain topic) to look up exactly what they want in the book. Without an index, hours can be spent trying to find something that may not even be there.

 

If an index was made, a copy would be sent to both authors and the Haribon Foundation to help in future publications.

 

Survivability and Endangered Status

The book, in itself, is not about to become extinct. However, some Philippine species are on the verge of becoming extinct or thought to be so already, such as the Sulu bleeding heart, the Negros fruit dove, the Sarus crane, and the Ilin Island cloud rat. Hopefully, this book will spread the news and viewpoint that Philippine natural landscape is a thing to be treasured.

 

 

Pictures

 

  

 

 

 

Potential Solutions

 

Possibility 1

Help make an index for a biology book :)

 

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Possibility 2

Help my biology teacher get all the information from all the students' projects on this website!!

 

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Bibliography

Catibog-Sinha, Corozon, Lawrence R. Heaney. “Philippine Biodiversity: Principles and  Practice.” Quezon City, Philippines, 2006.

 

Catibog-Sinha, Corazon. Email Dialogue. April 3, 2007.

 

Heaney, Lawrence R. Email Dialogue. March 31, 2007.

 

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