I. Introduction
The ecosystem of a lake includes biotic (living) plants, animals and micro-organisms, as well as abiotic (nonliving) physical and chemical interactions. Lake ecosystems are a prime examples of lentic (standing or relatively still water) ecosystems. It can be compared with lotic ecosystems, which involve flowing terrestrial waters such as rivers and streams.
Human activities commonly affect the distribution, quantity, and chemical quality of water resources. The range in human activities that affect the interaction of ground water and surface water is broad. To provide a sign of the extent to which humans affect the water resources of virtually all landscapes, some of the most relevant structure and features related to human activities are superimposed on various parts of the conceptual landscape.
The effects of human activities on the quantity and quality of water resources are felt over a wide range of space and time scales. The lake that was once there may not be there after a few hundred years because of human actions.
II. Objectives
At the end of the exercise, the students should be able to:
Describe the interaction of the terrestrial with the aquatic ecosystems
Explain how different economic human activities directly and indirectly affect the Laguna de Bay ecosystem
Discuss mechanisms by which the lake pollution can be prevented or minimized
III. Methodology
The class visited sites within the municipalities of Calamba, Los Banos, and Victoria near the shores of Laguna de Bay. The different sites visited showed the students examples of human activities that directly or indirectly affect the ecosystem. The students made observations and asked questions about the different sites and recorded the data.
IV. Results
Backyard Duck Farm in Victoria, Laguna
What resources from the lake is an important component of the duck’s diet? Why is it advantageous for the owner of the
References: (1) http://www.llda.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=479