Insect Ecology Assignment No.1

Name: Marcylyn B.
Manuel
MS in Entomology
Student No: 1902104
Subject: ENTOM 250-Advanced Insect Ecology
Exercise 1
Natural Ecosystem and Agro ecosystem
Introduction
A natural ecosystem is a community of living and non-living entities and occurs freely in
nature. Every component interacts together as a combined unit through physical, chemical and
biological processes. The discriminating factor of natural ecosystems from other ecosystems is that
they are completely natural. Their interactions in no way are influenced by human activity as seen
in the case of artificial ecosystems. The components of natural ecosystems that bring about these
interactions are soil, sunlight, air, water, plants, animals and microorganisms. Each of these factors
of the ecosystem is associated either directly or indirectly. For example, a fluctuation in the
temperature levels affects the growth of plants (https://byjus.com/biology/what-is-a-natural-
ecosystem). Examples of natural ecosystems are deserts, virgin rain forests, the abysmal plain are a
few examples of naturally occurring ecosystems. They are majorly devoid of human existence
thereby enabling these sites to continue existing in their natural state. However, these ecosystems,
with time undergo changes in the event of environmental changes regardless of human existence.
According to Manjit et al, 1994, agricultural ecosystem is open system, whereby continuous
human intervention is needed for the maintenance of equilibrium with the aim of maximizing the
production provided by a few domesticated plant and animal species. In these systems, the
equilibrium is maintained through energy input from outside that makes the operations possible,
which are designed to create optimal conditions for the growth of the cultivated plants and the
animals rose. Ecology and management of birds in agricultural ecosystems deals with all activities
of birds that are either beneficial or harmful to mankind. Agroecosystems comprise 30% of the
Earth’s surface (Altieri, 1991), and according to Swift et al. (1996) can be defined as, “the
ecosystems in which humans have exerted a deliberate selectivity on the composition of the biota
i.e., the crops and the livestock maintained by the farmer, replacing to a greater or lesser degree the
natural flora and fauna of the site.”
The unique biodiversity in the Philippines is supported by a large variety of ecosystems,

landscapes and habitats, most of which are also greatly threatened by human activities. According
to the FAO definition, the country has 7.2 million ha of forest ecosystems, comprising
approximately 24% of the total land area. It is however estimated that, between 2000 and 2005, the
Philippines lost 2.1% of its forest cover annually, representing the second fastest rate of
deforestation in Southeast Asia (second to Myanmar) and seventh in the world. The country’s
agricultural ecosystem is also noteworthy. The Philippines is part of the center of diversity of rice,
coconut, mung bean, taro and yam, as well as the center of origin and diversity of bananas in
Southeast Asia. Yet this agricultural biodiversity is nowadays experiencing general decline, as is the
land area devoted to these activities (https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/default.shtml?
country=ph).
Odum (1997), an Ecologist summarized some of the major functional differences between
natural and agroecosystems. In natural ecosystems there tend to be more niches and a higher
diversity of species compared to most managed agroecosystems that are simpler, have fewer
predatory and parasitic species, and less genetic diversity within a species. With fewer trophic
interactions, there are fewer species to reduce pest populations and prevent them from reducing
agricultural yield and quality. Further, with low genetic diversity within agricultural species and
across the landscape, the agricultural system is more vulnerable to pest outbreaks than natural
ecosystems (https://serc.carleton.edu/integrate/teaching_materials/food_supply/
student_materials/1183)
Objective
1. To be able to differentiate the environment set up in the natural ecosystem and
agroecosytem.
2. To be identify the different species of plant and insects present in the natural ecosystem and
agroecosytem.
Methodology
1. Selection of site – the selected area of observation must be within a municipality with 100
m2.
2. Go and do observation on the area selected.
3. Data gathering- during the observation at the selected site the following should be gathered
a. Identify and document at least 5 species of plant with their local and
international name (for the natural ecosystem).
b. Identify and document the different insects. Collect the insects for proper
identification. Note what is the profession of the insects are they predators,
visitors, pollinators or shelterer.
Discussion
Location
The area observation was in the Barangay Tabug, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte both for the
Natural and Agroecosystem, as shown in Plate 1. It has a total land area of 16, 101 hectares that lies
in the southwestern portion of the Ilocos Norte province. The climate type is Type I (two
pronounced seasons, wet and dry).
Pl
Plate 1. Overview of the selected area for observation from the left the natural ecosystem and from the
right the agroecosystem.
Plant species
During the observation in the natural ecosystem it was found out that there are different
plants present. There are perennial and shrubs. The ground was covered with different kinds of
weeds. Whereas in the agroecostem the crops planted is rice in a rainfed ecosystem. It is at tillering
stage(Table 1).
Table 1. Different plant species present in the natural and agrocecosytem.

Natural Ecosytem Agroecosytem
1. Local name: Salamagi 1. Common name: Rice
International name: Tamarind Scientific name: Oryza
Scientific name: Tamarindus sativa
indica
2. Local name: Kakawate
International name: Madre de
cacao
Scientific name: Gliricidia
sepium
3. Local name: Bain-bain

International name: Touch me
not plant
Scientific name: Mimosa pudica
4. Local name: Saluyot

International name:Jute
Scientific name: Corchorus
olitorius
5. Local name: Lomboy

International name:Duhat
Scientific name: Syzygium
cumini
Insect species
As shown in Table 2 more number of insect were observed from the natural ecosystem.
Each of the insects was found either a predator, visitor and shelterer. In the agroecosytsem only few
insect were observed.
Table 1. Different insect present in the natural and agrocecosytem.
Natural Ecosytem Agroecosytem
Name of Professio Photo documentation Name Professio Photo documentation
insect n of n
insect
Ants Shelterer Drago Visitors
n fly
Spider Shelterer House Visitors

fly
Mosquito Shelterer Beetle Visitors

Butterflie Visitor
s
Bug
Dragon Visitor
fly
Mantis Predator
Fly Visitor
Problem met
Few insects were observed because the time of observation was done early afternoon.
Conclusion
In the natural ecosystem biological environment is occurring freely. While in the
agroecosytem that was made by man for commercial or other benefits is known as an artificial
ecosystem. These ecosystems are modified by humans for their own profit and can either be
terrestrial or aquatic.
Higher diversity of species both in plant and insects was observed in the natural ecosystem
compared to the agricultural ecosystem.
Cited Literature
Manjit SD,Harjeet KS (1994) Agricultural ornithology : an Indian perspective. J Biosci 19: 391-402.
https://byjus.com/biology/what-is-a-natural-ecosystem
https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/default.shtml?country=ph
https://serc.carleton.edu/integrate/teaching_materials/food_supply/student_materials/1183

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Name: Marcylyn B.

The unique biodiversity in the Philippines is supported by a large variety of ecosystems,

Table 1. Different plant species present in the natural and agrocecosytem.

3. Local name: Bain-bain

4. Local name: Saluyot

5. Local name: Lomboy

Spider Shelterer House Visitors

Mosquito Shelterer Beetle Visitors

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