The Philippines is on the world map as a megadiversity spot, because it is one of the 17 countries where 60 to 80% of all the world?s species can be found. Biodiversity is the variety of species in a habitat or ecosystem. The higher the biodiversity, the more species there are to take on essential ecological roles, and the easier it is for the system to recover from stress. The interaction of so many species also creates the right setting for other species to survive and provide humans food, medicine, shelter and, more importantly, a constant supply of clean air and water, and protection from floods and droughts.

Forests have evolved into such smoothly running systems that cutting them down in one sweep is sure to result in a sudden imbalance in nature and major disaster for us humans. When the habitat itself is destroyed, all the species that work together to support life also disappear. It takes decades for a forest to grow complex enough to provide us all its benefits, but only a few days to be cut down. The system has no time to adapt. The result? Flashfloods and landslides during typhoons, parched crops and wells in summer.

If we need wood, let?s plant what trees we need and harvest these instead. Let?s not kill the goose that lays the golden egg; let?s not destroy the very thing that keeps us alive.