6

Science
Quarter 2 – Module 6:
Protecting and Conserving
Tropical Rainforests,
Coral Reefs and Mangrove
Swamps
Science– Grade 6
Self-Learning Module (SLM)
Quarter 2 – Module 6: Protecting and Conserving Tropical Rainforests, Coral
Reefs and Mangrove Swamps
First Edition, 2020

Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work
of the Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government
agency or office wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of
such work for profit. Such agency or office may, among other things, impose as a
condition the payment of royalties.

Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright
holders. Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these
materials from their respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not
represent nor claim ownership over them.

Development Team of the Module

Writer: Ladylyn Joie S. Bacsal and Annabelle N. Marasigan
Editor: Emily Jean Omandam
Reviewers: Marilou Doton- Jones/ Alex S. Labarosa, EdD.
Illustrator: Alexie Keanu O. Elihay
Layout Artist: Geunicar A. Perez
Cover Art Designer: Arvel Garry L. Campollo
Management Team:
Allan G. Farnazo, CESO IV – Regional Director
Fiel Y. Almendra, CESO V – Assistant Regional Director
Concepcion F. Balawag, CESO V-Schools Division Superintendent
Edgar S. Sumapal- Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Gilbert B. Barrera – Chief, CLMD
Arturo D. Tingson Jr. – REPS, LRMS
Peter Van C. Ang-ug – REPS, ADM, Science
Pancho G. Balawag, EdD - CID Chief
Engr. Reynaldo S.E. Villan- EPS, In-Charge of LRMS
Vivencio O. Aninon, EdD –PSDS, Division ADM Coordinator
Alex S. Labarosa, EdD – EPS, Science
Printed in the Philippines by Department of Education –SOCCSKSARGEN Region

Office Address: Regional Center, Brgy. Carpenter Hill, City of Koronadal

Telefax: (083) 2288825/ (083) 2281893
E-mail Address: [email protected]
Introductory Message

This Self-Learning Module (SLM) is prepared so that you, our dear learners, can
continue your studies and learn while at home. Activities, questions, directions,
exercises, and discussions are carefully stated for you to understand each lesson.

Each SLM is composed of different parts. Each part shall guide you step-by- step
as you discover and understand the lesson prepared for you.

Pre-test are provided to measure your prior knowledge on lessons in each SLM.
This will tell you if you need to proceed on completing this module, or if you need
to ask your facilitator or your teacher’s assistance for better understanding of the
lesson. At the end of each module, you need to answer the post-test to self-check
your learning. Answer keys are provided for each activity and test. We trust that
you will be honest in using these.

In addition to the material in the main text, Notes to the Teachers are also provided
to the facilitators and parents for strategies and reminders on how they can best
help you on your home-based learning.

Please use this module with care. Do not put unnecessary marks on any part of
this SLM. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises and tests. Read
the instructions carefully before performing each task.

If you have any questions in using this SLM or any difficulty in answering the tasks
in this module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator.

Thank you.
 What I Need to Know

Hi Kids! I hope that you are ready for another learning adventure. Have you
been to a beautiful place? How wonderful it is to see and live in such a beautiful
place! Do you want to live in this kind of place were cans, bottles, plastics, and even
dead animals float in the river? Can you imagine what would life be without trees,
water and air? This might happen if tropical rainforest, coral reefs and mangrove
swamps will not be protected and conserved. We all have the responsibility in saving
our ecosystemsand each of us has to do our part.

This module will help you explain the need to protect and conserve tropical
rainforests, coral reefs and mangrove swamps (S6MT-IIi-j-6)

After going through the different activities, you are expected to explain and
discuss ways on how to protect and conserve tropical rainforests, coral reefs and
mangrove swamps.

What I Know

Direction: Before you start studying this module, take this simple test first to find
out what you already know about the topic. Write your answer on a separate sheet
of paper.

1. Which of the following statements is true about man’s effort to save the forests?

A. burn the plants and trees in the forests

B. cut small and big trees in the forests
C. practice the kaingin method of farming
D. replaced cut trees by planting new seedlings

2. What is the best thing to do to conserve tropical rainforests?

A. Let proper authorities take care of the tropical rainforests.

B. Let trees grow by themselves.
C. Make it a dumping area for garbage
D. Organize tree planting activity.

3. Which of the following practices destroys the coral reef?

A. Information dissemination
B. Making artificial reefs
C. Pollution from Industrial and Agricultural Wastes
D. Reforestation

4
4. The practices below help in saving coral reefs, EXCEPT _______________.
A. dynamite fishing
B. discouraging others from collecting corals
C. strict implementation of laws on illegal fishing
D. reforestation

5. How can you help in saving our coral reefs?

A. By dumping and disposing the household waste in the sea.
B. By Joining groups which aim to guard and care for seas and coral reefs.
C. Not following the implementation of the laws or ordinances in saving coral
reefs.
D. Do over fishing and exploitation of marine resources

6. The following statements are ways to conserve the mangrove swamps, EXCEPT___.
A. Excessive logging of mangroves swamps
B. Maintaining sustainable limits in logging and harvesting activities.
C. Managing mangrove forests.
D. Retaining protective mangrove buffers along coastlines and river.
7. Which of the following practices destroys the mangrove swamps?
A. Cutting off mangrove trees for firewood and charcoal making.
B. Encouraging people to help planting and maintaining the mangroves.
C. Disposing wastes in their proper garbage receptacles or area.
D. Replanting of mangrove trees to restore damaged mangrove areas.
8. Which of the following will happen in the near future if trees being cut down in
many parts of the world?

A. More places will not experience droughts in summer.

B. The atmosphere will become warmer.
C. There will be many animals living.
D. There will be no more destructive floods in many places.
9. If the fishermen in the coastal barangays are still practicing dynamite fishing in
order to catch plenty of fishes, what do you think will happen to marine
resources?

A. Fish will multiply fast.

B. Marine life will be affected.
C. Marine life will increase.
D. The corals will multiply.
10. What is the possible impact in the environment if destructive human activities
continue?
A. The filter pollutants from water will multiply.
B. There will be abundance of marine resources.
C. There will be no breeding places for various fish and other water species.

5
 D. There will be protection in some coastal area against destructive typhoons
and flooding.

Lesson
Protecting and Conserving
1 Tropical Rainforests,Coral
Reefs and Mangrove Swamps

You have learned that tropical rainforest, coral reefs and mangrove swamp are
examples of ecosystem. These ecosystems have two components: the living and
nonliving components. The living components are called biotic factors with plants
and animals. The non-living components are called abiotic factors. The examples are:
air, sunlight, water, soil and temperature. However, there are problems threaten
these three ecosytem due to irresponsible human activities that destroyed the
biodiversity and biological balance of it.
Your next task is to learn how these three ecosystems should be protected and
conserved. Are you ready to take part in the conservation of these ecosystems?

Come on. Share your part.

What’s In

Hello Kids! Let us recall the different threats in our ecosystem

that you know by completing the web diagram.

Procedure:

1. Study the Word Web Diagram in the next page: “Threats to our
ecosystem”.
2. Think for the possible reasons that may cause bad effect to our ecosystem.
3. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

6
 Word Web Diagram: “Threats to our ecosystem”.

Threats to our
Ecosystem

What’s New

What’s up Kids? By this time, you have already knowledge on problems that threaten
the tropical rainforests, coral reefs and mangrove swamps. Is this true? Most of the
problems threaten these different ecosystem are causes of irresponsible activities of
humans. Since you know the problems threaten our ecosystem, they are ways on
how to protect and conserve it. Are you ready to know those ways? What are you
waiting for? Let’s explore!

Activity 1: PICTURE PERFECT

Procedure:

1. Study the scenario that is shown in the picture.

2. Below each picture, briefly explain how are you going to protect and
conserve the tropical rainforests?
3. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

7
A.

____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

B.

_________________________________________________________________________

8
C.

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Good job kids! Le us proceed to the next activity.

ACTIVITY 2: VIEW FROM UNDER

2. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

QUESTIONS:

1. Name the human activities that cause destruction of coral reefs.

Procedure: Study the diagram. Answer the questions that follow.

9
 1. Based in the diagram, what are ways to protect and conserve the coral reefs?

2. Explain how each way can save the destruction of coral reefs.

3. Why are coral reefs valuable to us?

Are you done? Ok kids, let us do another activity in the next page.

ACTIVITY 3: WHAT SHALL I DO?

Procedure:
1. Study the items in the given table then answer the questions below it.
2. Write your answer on a separate sheet.

Table 1: Causes of Destruction Effects and its Solution on Mangrove Swamp

Causes of Harmful Effects Solution What to do?

Destruction of
Mangrove Swamps

10
Questions:

1. What are the common causes of mangrove swamp destruction?

2. What are the harmful effects of mangrove swamp destruction?

3. What solutions have you identified?

Good job kids! Now let’s move on to the next activity.

ACTIVITY 4: “THINK ABOUT IT”

Procedure:

1. Study the items in Table 2. Harmful Effects and Implications of

Ecosystem Destruction.
2. Find out what are asked for.
3. Fill out the appropriate boxes in the table for your responses based on
the questions 1-4 found below.
4. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper..

Table 2. Harmful Effects and Implications of Ecosystem Destruction.

Ecosystem Causes of Harmful Implications to

Destruction effects Community Environment Human
Being
Tropical
Rainforest

Coral Reef

Mangrove
Swamp

11
Guide Questions:

1. What are the common causes of tropical rainforest, coral reefs and mangrove
swamp destruction?

2. What are the harmful effects of tropical rainforest, coral reefs and mangrove
swamp destruction?

3. What are the implications you have identified?

4. Why do you think there is a need to protect and conserve our tropical
rainforests, coral reefs, and mangrove swamps?

You did well Kids. Now let us process these activities we have just under taken.

What is It

Now let us discuss what you have done in the different activities of this lesson.

Are you familiar with this ecosystem? In your Activity 1. Picture Perfect, the
pictures presented the ways to protect and conserve an ecosystem. This ecosystem
is called tropical rainforest. Tropical rainforests are home of the largest and the
smallest, the loudest and the quietest of all land animals, as well as some of the most
dangerous, most beautiful, most endearing, and strangest looking animals on
earth.Yes, we benefit much from our rainforest.

Do you know that our tropical rainforests threatened? Yes, deforestation, illegal
logging and occasional fire in the forests are problems threatened our Tropical
Rainforests. When forests trees are cut down, the plants and animals that live in the
forests are destroyed, and some species are at risk of being made extinct. But the
question is how do we protect and conserve the tropical rainforests? The ways to
12
protect and conserve the Tropical Rainforest are teach others about the importance
of the environment and how they can help save rainforests. Restore damaged
ecosystems by planting trees on land where forests have been cut down. Encourage
people to live in a way that doesn't hurt the environment. Establish parks to protect
rainforests and wildlife. By doing our part these create a positive result such as
increase in algal,fungal, plant and animal biodersity. Protect the soil from erosion
and abundance of food and home for animals.Clean the air through the food making
activity of the trees and plants. Lastly, it decreases chances of flood. In your end, can
you share some activities, advocacies and awareness about protecting and
conserving tropical rainforest? Do your simple ways. Do Your Duty To Keep Nature
A Beauty. Ok, we move to the next activity.
Kids, are you familiar with the coral reefs? In your Activity 2: View From
Under is also an ecosystem found in ocean or sea called coral reef. A coral reef is an
area of the ocean made up of coral skeletons and living coral. Coral reefs are often
called “rain forests of the ocean” because of their great biodiversity. They are
biologically rich and provide economical value to our world. The coral reefs provide
protection to billions of people; provide food, jobs, as well as income to many
individuals.

Do you know that this ecosystem is threatened by some human activities? Yes,
our coral reefs are threatened by many factors such as pollution, deforestation, illegal
fishing, over fishing and over exploitation of marine resources. If we do not stop the
effects of these factors we may lose a whole lot more than just the corals. How do
you protect and conserve coral reefs? We can protect and conserve coral reefs
through Sea grass bed protection because sea grasses protect coral reefs. It reduces
the movement of water and regulates the chemical composition of coastal waters and
sediments. Controlled logging activities also protect coral reefs because it can prevent
siltation. Making of Coral reefs using old tires increases marine life.
Industrial/agricultural wastes control is another way in protecting and conserving
coral reefs to prevent water pollution. Siltation control also protects the coral reefs.
to control the silt covers to the coral reefs to avoid deprived oxygen and food
materials. Reforestation is another way of saving the coral reefs because it controls
siltation and it prevents climate change. Good fishing methods/practices prevent
coral reefs destructions. Why are coral reefs valuable to us? How does the destruction
of coral reefs affect the fisher folks and others whose livelihood depend on fish
products? Can you do your part? Yes, you CAN for saving reefs is the best job ever.

Now, let us move on to the next discussion in Activity 3. What Shall I Do?
Have you ever tried catching crabs in the mangrove swamps? Mangrove swamps are
also an ecosystem act as natural buffers between the land and sea. They absorb the
force of strong waves that have been built up in the open seas. This is especially
important during times of tropical storms. Human being is the biggest threat in the
destruction of these selected ecosystems. Some human activities are harmful to the
environment because they damage the ecosystem and upset the balance of nature.
There are many ways by which the mangrove swamps are destroyed. They may be
man-made or natural. Some of the destructive activities include the conversion of
mangrove areas for aquaculture, agriculture, infrastructure, resorts and pollution.
The excessive logging of mangroves is notable due to the needs of people living in the
community. These people tend to pollute the area because of irresponsible disposal
of wastes. All of these activities threaten the loss of one of the valuable ecosystems.
So let us protect our mangrove swamps collaboratively with other people.

13
 Now can we move to the next discussion found in your Activity 4.Think
About It. Let us discuss which of the three ecosystems are you familiar with? Most
probably, it is the tropical rainforests. Few people of your age have seen an actual
coral reef. Most people have been to a mangrove swamps? This activity explains these
three ecosystems has one purpose; that is to make you realize that living things in
these ecosystem are faced with different conditions to which they must adapt in order
to survive. But in order to continue their existence, we need to protect and conserve
these three ecosystems against problems that threaten the balance of biodiversity.
These threats in the ecosystem create a harmful effects and implications to
environment if those ecosystems will not be protected and conserved. These will
result to a lot of problems like polluted air, polluted soil, and polluted water. Also, it
could worsen the effects of natural calamities like typhoons. Mountains were
denuded because of massive cutting of trees which resulted to deadly landslides,
floods, damage to property and loss of human lives. As a steward of Mother Nature
you can do in your own way to prevent these harmful effects.

Hi Kids, this time let us read and understand deeply about our lesson.

1. Tropical rainforest is a rainforest with a high rainfall that grows in a

tropical region. Rainforests are home to a vast number of animals and
plants.

2. Coral reefs are large underwater structures. Corals are found all over the
world's oceans. The biggest coral reefs are found in the clear, shallow
waters of the tropics and subtropics.

3. Mangrove swamps are coastal wetlands found in tropical and subtropical

regions. Mangrove trees dominate this wetland ecosystem due to their
ability to survive in both salt and fresh water.

4. Some human activities including hunting, illegal cutting of trees,

deforestation, occasional fire started by lightning.

5. The sea ecosystem, particularly the coral reefs, is threatened by the rapid
increase of population in the coastal areas. Human activities like
dynamite fishing, cyanide fishing, overfishing and overexploitation of
marine resources and industrial/agricultural wastes contribute to the
destruction of coral and coral reefs.

6. Mangrove swamps have often been seen as unproductive and smelly, and
make as room for agricultural land, human settlements structure and
industrial areas. Recently, clearing for tourist developments, shrimp
aquaculture, salt farms and overharvesting of mangroves used for
firewood, construction wood and charcoal production.

7. Coral reefs can be saved through the following ways: (a).seagrass bed
protection ;(b) controlled logging activities; (c.) industrial/ agricultural

14
 wastes control; (d.) siltation control e. Reforestation proper fishing
methods. g. Making of artificial coral reef using old tires.
a. Seagrasses protect coral reefs. They reduce the movement of water and
regulate the chemical composition of coastal waters and sediments.
Because of the importance of seagrasses growth and development of
coral reefs, they also should be conserved.
b. Controlled logging activities also protect coral reefs because it can
prevent siltation.
c. Industrial/agricultural wastes control is another way in protecting and
conserving coral reefs. When the coastal water is not polluted due to
wastes coral reefs will grow.
d. Siltation control also protects the coral reefs. When silt covers the coral
reefs, they are deprived of oxygen and food materials and they
eventually die.
e. Reforestation is another way of saving the coral reefs because it
controls siltation.
f. Proper fishing methods/practices do not destroy the coral reefs.

g. Making of artificial coral reefs increases marine life.

8. Ways to Protect and Conserve the Tropical Rainforests
a. Teach others about the importance of the environment and how they
can help save rainforests.
b. Restore damaged ecosystems by planting trees on land where forests
have been cut down.
c. Encourage people to live in a way that doesn't hurt the environment.
d. Establish parks to protect rainforests and wildlife

9. Positive result of protecting and conserving Tropical Rainforests:

a. Increase in algal, fungal, plant and animal biodersity.
b. Protect the soil from erosion
c. Abundance of food and home for animals
d. Clean the air through the food making activity of the trees and plants.
e. It decreases chances of flood.

10. Ways to Protect and Conserve Mangrove Forests and swamps

a. Maintaining sustainable limits in logging and harvesting activities.
b. Managing mangrove forests.
c. Retaining protective mangrove buffers along coastlines and river.
d. Proper disposal of garbage

Good job! You did great. I am very happy you were able to finish the task given
to you.

15
 What’s More

Let’s do more for you to learn meaningfully and comprehensively

in this module.

Activity 5 My Commitment

Procedure:
1. Study Table 3. Harmful Human Activities on the Ecosystem
2. Fill out what is ask in the table.
3. Rite your answer on a separate sheet of paper

Table 3. Harmful Human Activities on the Ecosystem

Harmful human activities

Ecosystem on the tropical rainforests,
coral reefs and mangrove What will happen Solution
swamps
Tropical a.
rainforest Deforestation

b.

Coral Reefs Dynamite Fishing a.

b.

Mangrove Improper Garbage Disposal a.

swamps

b.

Nice kids! Let go further by doing another activity.

Activity 6. A Pledge to Protect and Conserve Mother Nature

Procedure:

16
1. Prepare the following materials: White cartolina, Marking pen and Coloring
materials/crayons.
2. Compose a pledge to Mother Nature about taking care of tropical rainforests.
3. Write your pledge on a white cartolina.
4. Show your creativity by adding colors and designs.
5. Share your pledge to other member/s of you family.
6. Take a photo of your work and send it to your teacher online.

Guide Questions: Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What are the different threats faced by different ecosystem?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

2. As a student, what can you do to save the Mother Earth?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

What I Have Learned

You are doing a good work in this module. Now that you already know about
the ways on how to protect and conserve the tropical rainforests, coral reefs and
mangrove swamps, let’s summarize our lesson. Let’s do this!

Direction: Study the CONCEPT MAP. Fill in the concept map with the correct

17
data. Write your answer on a sep arate sheet of paper based on this figure.

ECOSYSTEM

Tropical Mangrove
Coral Reefs
Rainforests swamps

Ways to
protect and
conserve

• • •
• • •
• • •

Harmful effects and i implications to communities, environments

and human beings if we will not prote ct and conserve the three
ecosystems

•
•
•

18
 What I Can Do

Good Job Kids! Let’s Reflect and Respond! Write your answer
on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Supposed you have joined a regional camping in a place considered as protected

area. You observe that some of your colleagues make fire in the camping area without
the consent of the scout master. What is the best thing for you to do?

2. Some ecosystems are declared by the government as protected areas wherein

cutting of trees not allowed. As a Grade 6 pupil what can you do to help the
government in protecting the trees?

3. Suppose you have learned from your classmates that their parents usually cut
mangrove trees to make Christmas trees. How would you inform them about the
importance of mangroves? How would you prevent them from doing their usual
practice of cutting the trees?

4. A place in your community has been designated as Bird Sanctuary. Some of

your friends go there bringing their slingshots to hunt birds. What is best thing for
you to do?

5. Suppose you are living near the sea. You observe that some of your neighbors
do not do disposing their garbage properly. What is best thing for you to do as steward
of Mother Nature?

Assessment

A. Give at least two threats to biodiversity of tropical rainforests, coral reefs and
mangrove swamps. Then, write two ways in protecting and conserving of these
ecosystems.

A. Tropical Rainforests

Threats

1.

2.

19
Ways to protect and conserve Tropical Rainforests.

1.

2.

B. Coral Reefs

Threats

1.

2.

Ways to protect and conserve Coral Reefs

1.

2.

C. Mangrove forests and swamps

Threats

1.

2.

Ways to protect and conserve Mangrove forests and swamps

1.

2.

B. Answer the following questions;

1. What are the harmful effects and implications to environment if those ecosystems
will not be protected and conserved?

20
2. What are the solutions and actions that we can do to prevent or minimize the
harmful effects of unending destruction to these three ecosystems?

Additional Activities

Make a picture collage that shows conservation of tropical rainforests, coral

reefs and mangrove swamps.

I. What you need

• Magazine/newspaper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Bond paper (long)

II. What to do

1. Browse Magazine/newspaper about ways of saving tropical rainforests, coral

reefs and mangrove swamps.

2. Cut the pictures and paste in the bond paper

21
22
23
References
MISOSA 5 Module II Saving the Coral Reefs pages 1-8

BEAM 5 Unit 2 DLP 18 Coral Reefs and their importance

BEAM 5 Unit 2 DLP 19 162-164

LM Science

BEAM- GRADE 3- Unit-plants DLP 37)

BEAM- Grade 3- Unit 3- Plants ( DELP- Science3 DLP 39)

Science for Daily Use, Conchita T. Tan.

https://www.wwf.org.my/about_wwf/what_we_do/forests_main/the_malaysian_rai
https://rainforests.mongabay.com/1001.htmRhett A. ButlerApril 1,2019

nforest/types_of_forests/mangrove_forests/Mangrove ForestWWW-Malaysia

24
 EDITOR’S NOTE

This Self-learning Module (SLM) was developed by DepEd

SOCCSKSARGEN with the primary objective of preparing for and addressing
the new normal. Contents of this module were based on DepEd’s Most
Essential Learning Competencies (MELC). This is a supplementary material
to be used by all learners of Region XII in all public schools beginning SY
2020-2021. The process of LR development was observed in the production
of this module. This is version 1.0. We highly encourage feedback, comments,
and recommendations.

For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education–SOCCSKSARGEN
Learning Resource Management System (LRMS)

Regional Center, Brgy. Carpenter Hill, City of Koronadal

Telefax No.: (083) 2288825/ (083) 2281893

25