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THE UNIVERSITY OF MINDANAO

College of Arts and Sciences Education

Physically Distanced but Academically Engaged

Self-Instructional Manual (SIM) for

Self-Directed Learning (SDL)

Teacher: PROF. RONNEL P. SENINING

Course/Subject: GE 15: Environmental Science

THIS SIM/SDL MANUAL IS A DRAFT VERSION ONLY, NOT FOR

REPRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OUTSIDE OF ITS INTENDED USE.
THIS IS INTENDED ONLY FOR THE USE OF THE STUDENTS WHO ARE
OFFICIALLY ENROLLED IN THE COURSE/SUBJECT.
EXPECT REVISIONS OF THE MANUAL.
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WEEK 4-5 Unit Learning Outcome c (ULOc).

Explain the human population growth, its impacts to the environment and to the
biodiversity.

METALANGUAGE
In this section, essential terms relevant to human population growth, its patterns,
history, and implication to the natural resource will be operationally defined for you to
comprehend ULO-b. You will also be required to refer to the previous definitions found in
ULO-a to connect with the topic discuss under the lesson unit. These are some key terms
that will enable you to grasp the core areas of environmental science.

1. Population. It is the entire pool from which a statistical sample is drawn from a
different group of individuals.
1.1. A population is referring to an entire group of people of different races,
sexuality, and status; objects like material things; events like social
gatherings; hospital or school visitations, and measurements of a distinct
boundary.

2. Demographic Transition. It refers to the shift in the history of birth and death rates
in society because of the absence of science and technology advancements.
There is also an issue on the economic and educational development, particularly
in women that may cause the demographic transition.

3. Population Density. It is the measurement of the given population over volume

respondents.
1.1. It is frequently applied to living organisms, most of the time, to humans.
1.2. It is a key geographical term.

4. Mortality Rate. It is referring to the number of death in a given population over

some time.

5. Sex Ratio. It is a ratio of males to females in a population. In most sexually

reproducing species, the rate tends to be 1:1.

6. Fecundity it is referring in two ways; human demography has the potential for the
reproduction of a listed population as opposed to a single organism. For the study
in the biological community, it is similar to fertility, wherein it is a natural way to
produce offspring.

7. Demography is referring to the statistical features of the human population. The

demographic analysis can cover whole societies or groups comprising education,
nationality, religion, and ethnicity.
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8. Migration. It is referring to the movement of people of different sectors from one
country to another with the intention of the new location, new work or employer, or
for greener pasture.
8.1 The movement is often over long distances and from one country to another, but
internal migration within the city is also possible; indeed, this is the dominant form
globally.

9. Morbidity is a general term meaning the occurrence of disease and illness in a

population.

10. Biodiversity - Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you’ll find in one area—the variety
of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural
world.

11. Taxonomy - Taxonomy is the practice and science of categorization or classification. A

taxonomy (or taxonomical classification) is a scheme of classification, especially a
hierarchical classification, in which things are organized into groups or types.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE
PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Humans and the environment, in which our daily lives take place, are intricately
interwoven. Our activities are having an increasingly dramatic and negative impact on
wildlife and ecosystems, endangering not only wild species but also our own survival.
Despite the fact that we completely rely on nature for essential, life-sustaining services
like clean air and water, a predictable climate, and food, these effects are only getting
worse. The unfortunate reality is that we are mostly using the planet's resources to
fulfill our short-term demands, and those who will suffer the most are the most
vulnerable or don't have a voice in how those resources are used (such as future
generations).
Making sure that development and expansion take place without causing
environmental harm and enriching people's daily lives without depleting the
environment is one of the main issues of the twenty-first century. Governments and
people may need to make some challenging decisions about how we define and
reward success in the future.

HUMAN POPULATION

Human population refers to the number of people living in a particular area,

from a village to the world as a whole.The world population now stands at around 7.8
billion inhabitants, having reached 7 billion milestones in 2011. Demographers expect
the 8 billion breakthroughs in 2023, nine (9) billion by 2037, and projected as high as te
(10) billion in the year 2056. It is common to say that human populations, like that of the
United States, grow at an exponential rate, which means that the annual growth rate is
a constant percentage of the population
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Usually, in discussions of population dynamics, birth, death, and growth rates are
expressed as percentages (the number per 100 individuals). The human population is so
huge that percentages are too crude a measure, so it is common to state these rates in
terms of the number per 1,000, referring to the crude rate. Thus, we have the crude birth
rate, crude death rate, and crude growth rate. More specifically, here is a list of terms
that are used frequently in discussions of human population change and will be useful to
us in this book from time to time.

A population is defined as a group of individuals of the same species living and

interbreeding within a given area. Members of a population often rely on the same
resources, are subject to similar environmental constraints, and depend on the availability
of other members to persist over time. Scientists study a population by examining how
individuals in that population interact with each other and how the population as a whole
interacts with its environment. As a tool for objectively studying populations, population
ecologists rely on a series of statistical measures, known as demographic parameters,
to describe that population (Lebreton et al. 1992). The field of science interested in
collecting and analyzing these numbers is termed population demographics, also known
as demography. Broadly defined, demography is the study of the characteristics of
populations. It provides a mathematical description of how those characteristics change
over time. Demographics can include any statistical factors that influence population
growth or decline, but several parameters are particularly important: population size,
density, age structure, fecundity (birth rates), mortality (death rates), and sex ratio.

HUMAN POPULATION GROWTH

The rise in the number of people on Earth is referred to as population growth.

The majority of human history saw a relatively steady population size. Energy, food,
water, and medical care, however, became more accessible and dependable as a result
of innovation and industrialization. As a result, the human population has swiftly expanded
and is still growing, having a significant impact on the planet's ecosystems and climate.
In order to support the world's population while adapting to and minimizing climate and
environmental changes, technological and societal innovation will be necessary.
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https://ugc.berkeley.edu/background-content/population-
growth/#:~:text=Human%20population%20growth%20impacts%20the,wildlife%2C%20especially%20in%20the%20oc
eans.
The expansion of the human population has a range of effects on the Earth system,
including:

• increasing the number of environmental resources being extracted. These resources

include minerals, plants, water, and wildlife, particularly in the oceans, as well as fossil
fuels (oil, gas, and coal). In turn, the removal of resources frequently results in the
release of trash and toxins that degrade the quality of the air and water and endanger the
health of both humans and other species.
• Increased use of fossil fuels to produce electricity, fuel industrial processes, and power
transportation (such as cars and planes).
• An increase in the use of freshwater for industrial activities, agriculture, recreation, and
drinking. Freshwater is extracted from lakes, rivers, the ground, and man-made reservoirs.
• increasing environmental effects of ecology. To build urban areas, including homes,
shops, and highways to accommodate expanding populations, forests and other habitats
are uprooted or destroyed. In addition, when populations rise, more land is put to use for
farming, including raising crops and caring for animals. This in turn has the potential to
reduce species populations, geographic ranges, biodiversity, and change how organisms
interact with one another.
• Fishing and hunting are being increased, which is reducing the numbers of the exploited
species. If additional resources are made available for the species that remain in the
environment, fishing and hunting may also indirectly boost the numbers of species that
are not fished or hunted.
• increasing the planned or unintentional import and export of supplies, which increases the
spread of invasive species. Invasive species frequently thrive in disturbed habitats where
urbanization has occurred and outcompete native species. For instance, numerous
invasive plant species abound in the areas of land near to highways and roadways.
• the spread of illnesses. Diseases can spread quickly among and within communities
when people live in heavily populated places. Furthermore, infections can spread fast to
new areas due to easier and more frequent transportation.
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BIODIVERSITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

The vast variety of life on Earth is referred to as biodiversity. It can be applied

more precisely to all the species found in a certain area or environment. Every living
creature, including plants, microorganisms, animals, and people, is referred to as
biodiversity. Around 8.7 million species of plants and animals are thought to exist,
according to scientists. However, to far, only about 1.2 million species, the most of which
are insects, have been recognized and described. This implies that the identities of
millions of other creatures are yet unknown.

https://greensaver.org/insights/why-is-it-important-to-conserve-biodiversity/

All of the species that are still living today have developed distinctive
characteristics through many generations that set them apart from other species.
Scientists distinguish between species based on these differences. Different species of
organism are those that can no longer procreate with one another due to their divergent
evolutionary paths. All living things that can reproduce sexually belong to the same
species. Given that there is still a lot of species to be discovered, scientists are curious
about how much biodiversity there is on a global basis. They also research the number
of species that can be found in a single environment, such as a lake, grassland, tundra,
or woodland. Beetles, snakes, antelopes, and many other species can be found on a
single meadow. The warm, humid temperature of tropical regions is an example of an
optimum environmental setting for plant growth in ecosystems that support the greatest
biodiversity. Species that are too small to perceive with the naked eye can also exist in
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ecosystems. Microscopically examining soil or water samples reveals a vast array of
bacteria and other microscopic creatures.

The world has certain regions with greater biodiversity than others, including parts
of Mexico, South Africa, Brazil, the southwestern United States, and Madagascar.
Hotspots are places with exceptionally high biodiversity levels. Hotspots are also home
to endemic species, which can only be found in a single place.For the sake of survival
and the preservation of their ecosystems, all species on Earth cooperate. For instance,
cattle are fed on the grass in pastures. The manure that cattle then create replenishes
soil nutrients and encourages the growth of further grass. Additionally, farmland can be
fertilized with this manure. Humans benefit greatly from many species, especially in the
areas of food, clothing, and medicine.

However, due to human consumption and other activities that disrupt or even
destroy ecosystems, a large portion of the Earth's biodiversity is under danger. Threats
to biodiversity include population expansion, pollution, and climate change. The rate of
extinction of species has increased at an unheard-of rate as a result of these concerns.
Some scientists predict that during the next century, half of all species on Earth will
become extinct. To maintain biodiversity and safeguard endangered species and their
habitats, conservation measures are required.

TAXONOMY, CLASSIFICATION OF ORGANISMS

Taxonomy is the branch of biology that classifies all living things. It was developed
by the Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus, who lived during the 18th Century, and his
system of classification is still used today. Linnaeus invented binomial nomenclature,
the system of giving each type of organism a genus and species name. He also
developed a classification system called the taxonomic hierarchy, which today has eight
ranks from general to specific: domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and
species.
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https://in.pinterest.com/pin/506936501792112432/

A taxon (plural: taxa) is a group of organisms that are classified as a unit. This can be
specific or general. For example, we could say that all humans are a taxon at the species
level since they are all the same species, but we could also say that humans along with
all other primates are a taxon at the order level, since they all belong to the order
Primates. Species and orders are both examples of taxonomic ranks, which are relative
levels of grouping organisms in a taxonomic hierarchy.

The following is a brief description of the taxonomic ranks that make up the
taxonomic hierarchy. Example of taxonomy is the diagram below, which shows the
classification of the red fox, Vulpes vulpes (sometimes the genus and species names are
the same, even though these are two different ranks).
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https://biologydictionary.net/taxonomy/

Many mnemonic devices can be used to remember the order of the taxonomic
hierarchy, such as “Dear King Philip Came Over For Good Spaghetti”.

SELF-HELP
You can refer to the sources below to help you further understand the lesson.

Marten. G.G. 2008. Human Ecology: Basic Concepts for Sustainable Development.
Earthscan, USA

Cunningham, W. P., and Cunningham, M., 2010. Environmental Science: A Global

Concern. 11th Edition. McGraw Hill, New York.

Botkin, D., and Keller, E., 2011. Environmental Science: Earth as a Living Planet. 8th
Edition. John Wiley and Sons, USA
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LET’S CHECK
Activity 3: Please encircle the answer under each item that best reflects your thinking.

1. It is referred to as the number of births per 1000 individuals per year.

a. Crude death rate c. Crude birth rate
b. Life expectancy d. Fertility rate

2. This refers to the capacity to become pregnant or to have children.

a. Age-specific birth rate c. Fertility
b. Total fertility d. Sex ratio

3. Which taxonomic rank is more specific than order but less specific than genus?
a. Genus c. Species
b. Family d. Order

4. It describes the occurrence of diseases and illnesses in a population.

a. Prevalence c. Morbidity
b. Incidence d. Fatality

5. It refers to the average number of years a newborn infant can expect to live births.
a. Birth rate expectancy c. Doubling time
b. Rate of natural increase d. Cause-specific death rate

6. Why is taxonomic classification used?

a. It allows each species to be uniquely identified.
b. It gives us an idea of how closely two organisms are related.
c. It has been unnecessary to change taxonomy since Linnaeus invented it in the
18th Century.
d. Choices A and B only are correct.

7. It refers to the three-stage pattern of change in birth rates and death rates that has
occurred during the process of industrial and economic development.
a. Demographic transition c. Growth rate
b. Sex ratio pattern d. Logistic curve rate

8. The average number of years n individuals can expect to live given the individual's
present age.
a. Life longevity c. Life expectation of living
b. Life expectancy d. Life transition

9. It is the highest (most general) rank of organisms.

a. Kingdom c. Domain
b. Phylum d. Species

10. It is the branch of biology that classifies all living things.

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a. Biochemistry c. Taxonomy
b. Taxology d. Life Science

LET’S ANALYZE
Activity No. 3. The study of population is a complex process where we investigate
how population grows over time and how it affects the nature and quality of life among
different communities and its implication to the limited resources and sustainability. We
use different factors and parameters to examine how the population will grow shortly and
how the resources can sustain this growth.

At this juncture., you will be required to elaborate your answer supported with literature
and data to the following questions.

1. Discuss comprehensively how population growth affects the environment,

economy, and development.
________________________________________________________________
Population expansion may be beneficial for the economy and development since
________________________________________________________________
more people working means more businesses thriving and more value being created.
________________________________________________________________
Goods will change as a result of people being more creative in order to compete.
There will be more people to feed, but the sources aren't growing, thus it could have
________________________________________________________________
put strain on the scarce resources. Moreover, it may harm the environment since
___________________________________________________________
more people produce more trash, which can contaminate the air, land, and water.
2. How population growth rate affects the sustainability of natural resource?
________________________________________________________________
Since more people will need to consume them but the supply is not growing, there will
________________________________________________________________
be strain on our finite natural resources, as I have already stated. Although humans
________________________________________________________________
are the main consumers of natural resources, the resources we utilize are insufficient
to support us over the long term. It will eventually run out at a startling rate, making it
________________________________________________________________
more difficult for humanity to survive in the future.
___________________________________________________________
3. Discuss the effect of overpopulation to biodiversity.
The biodiversity ________________________________________________________________
can suffer significantly from overpopulation. Overpopulation of people increases their need
________________________________________________________________
for resources like food, water, and land to survive. This frequently results in habitat loss and fragmentation,
which can have ________________________________________________________________
a terrible impact on wildlife populations.
Natural ecosystems ________________________________________________________________
are being transformed more frequently into agricultural land, homes, and infrastructure
___________________________________________________________
as human populations rise. This frequently entails the destruction of forests and other natural ecosystems,
which can result in the decline of biodiversity. This is because a variety of species, many of which may not
be able to adapt to changing conditions, depend on these ecosystems to supply essential habitat.
4. Discuss comprehensively why it is important to protect biodiversity.
________________________________________________________________
The term "biodiversity" describes the wide range of living things on our world, from the tiniest microbes
________________________________________________________________
to the biggest animals and plants. It is necessary for ecosystems to function properly because it offers
key ecosystem________________________________________________________________
services including clean air and water, nutrient cycling, and soil formation.
The stability of ________________________________________________________________
ecosystems, the provision of economic advantages, the regulation of the climate, the
preservation of___________________________________________________________
cultural legacy, and the advancement of scientific study all depend on biodiversity
protection. We must act to protect biodiversity and stop more extinctions for both our own survival and
the survival of the next generation.
5. Is there a need to limit population growth? Why
________________________________________________________________
Yes, there is a need to restrict population increase in order to solve a variety of
________________________________________________________________
environmental and socioeconomic problems, and that doing so is a crucial part of sustainable
development. We can build a more equitable and sustainable future for ourselves and future
generations by minimizing our negative effects on the environment, fostering social stability,
and enhancing human well-being.
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________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

IN A NUTSHELL
Activity No. 3. Demographic studies play an important role in studying human
ecology and settlement patterns. It enables urban and environmental planners to design
sustainable communities with the utmost comfort and responsiveness to the growing
population growth and demand for resources. Identifying the key factors affecting
demography will shape the idea of projecting future demand for residential units,
commercial establishments, industrial, and institutional facilities. In this portion of the
group, you will be required to state your arguments or synthesis relevant to the topics
presented on population growth and its effect in biodiversity. I will answer the first two
items, and you will continue the rest.

1. Population projection is a significant undertaking in demographic studies. It

supplies data on how we are going to plan communities mindful of the pressing
issues on population growth and quality of life.

2. The holistic evaluation of the triggering factors of uncontrolled population growth,

a decline of environmental quality, and scarcity of resources is deemed necessary
to attain sustainable development.

In order to meet the diverse demands of the various age groups equally, it is
3. ________________________________________________________________
crucial to analyze the age structure of a given population.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

4. The
________________________________________________________________
primary cause of every environmental issue we are currently facing is
________________________________________________________________
overpopulation. These environmental issues won't be solved unless the
________________________________________________________________
population declines to a level that the resources can support.
____________________________________________________________

5. Carrying
________________________________________________________________
capacity is a crucial component to take into account, yet it can be
________________________________________________________________
challenging to calculate. We are unaware that we may already have over the
________________________________________________________________
population limit, which could change every second owing to a variety of
____________________________________________________________
circumstances.

Both beneficial and detrimental impacts of population growth exist. It has a

6. ________________________________________________________________
beneficial effect in that it advances economic development by fostering the
________________________________________________________________
production of new goods and value. The quick loss of natural resources,
________________________________________________________________
however, is the adverse result.
____________________________________________________________

7. ________________________________________________________________
There are many strategies to address the environmental issues and overpopulation.
________________________________________________________________
However the solution frequently runs afoul of people's ethics, values, and
________________________________________________________________
economics. As a result, we must create effective solutions that will take into
____________________________________________________________
consideration the three previously mentioned factors.
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8. ________________________________________________________________
People and the environment are connected; the natural world has an impact on
________________________________________________________________
our daily activities and we have an impact on it. As a result, we cannot
________________________________________________________________
disregard the current environmental issues.
____________________________________________________________

9. ________________________________________________________________
Limiting population growth is necessary. Too many people will upset the
________________________________________________________________
ecological balance, cause resource depletion and pollution, and cause our
________________________________________________________________
environment to slowly deteriorate.
____________________________________________________________

10. ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

Q&A LIST
Do you have any questions for clarification?

Questions/ Issues Answers

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KEYWORD INDEX
Population Death Rate Biodiversity
Growth Demography Taxonomy
Birth Rate Morbidity Organisms