NAPOLCOM PNPE General Information — Environmental Management & EcologyCheat Sheet
Environmental Management & Ecology cheat sheet — the reference card you wish you had on exam day. Condensed from the full study notes, this is the high-yield core of Environmental Management & Ecology for NAPOLCOM PNPE General Information. Download, print, revise.
Exam context
The NAPOLCOM PNP Entrance Examination is conducted by National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) and is scheduled for Bi-annual — March and October 2026. The General Information subtest is marked as "~15%" in the official pattern, and Environmental Management & Ecology appears in position 6th of 7 in the NAPOLCOM PNPE General Information review rotation. Passing mark: 50% (NAPOLCOM standard). Recent NAPOLCOM PNPE 2026 papers have drawn roughly 15 questions from this subject.
Environmental Management & Ecology - Cheat sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for Environmental Management & Ecology - covering all exam-critical facts, laws, and concepts
Sections
Section Title
Water Pollution Control & Conservation
Important Facts
- Three phases of wastewater treatment: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary
- Primary treatment: sedimentation → coagulation → filtration
- Secondary treatment: softening → aeration
- Chlorine is most common disinfectant in tertiary treatment
- Xeriscaping most successful in arid and semi-arid areas
- Water conservation practices: residential, landscaping, agricultural
Key Definitions
Term
Sewage
Example
Household wastewater from kitchens and bathrooms
Definition
Wastewater generated by home activities, industries, or garbage landfills categorized as municipal water pollution
Term
Primary Treatment
Example
Removing suspended sediments before discharge to rivers
Definition
Wastewater treatment using sedimentation, coagulation, and filtration
Term
Secondary Treatment
Example
Oxygen-demanding compounds removal through biological processes
Definition
Biological treatment involving softening and aeration processes
Term
Tertiary Treatment
Example
Final chlorination before water distribution
Definition
Water disinfection using chlorine to destroy bacteria
Term
Xeriscaping
Example
Desert landscaping with cacti and native plants
Definition
Water conservation landscaping approach using drought-resistant plants and efficient irrigation
Diagrams To Know
- Wastewater treatment process flow
- Water conservation methods diagram
Common Values
Value
4,889 million hectares
Symbol
37.6% of total land
Quantity
World Agricultural Area
Value
13.5 million hectares
Symbol
41% of total
Quantity
Philippines Agricultural Land
Section Title
Land Use & Degradation
Important Facts
- World land area: 13,003 million hectares
- Agricultural area: 4,889 million hectares (37.6% of land)
- Global land use: 10% glaciers, 19% barren, 37% forests, 11% grasslands, 1% freshwater, 1% urban
- Philippines agricultural land: 41% (18.2% arable, 17.8% permanent crops, 5% pasture)
- Philippines forest: 9%, Other: 1%
- Land degradation causes: deforestation, overgrazing, agriculture, industrialization, urbanization
Key Definitions
Term
Land Use
Example
Agricultural, residential, industrial, mining uses
Definition
How people use land for economic and cultural activities
Term
Arable Land
Example
Wheat, corn, rice fields
Definition
Land where crops are grown and replanted after harvest (28% of global agricultural area)
Term
Permanent Crops
Example
Citrus, coffee, rubber plantations
Definition
Land for crops not replanted after harvest (3% of global agricultural area)
Term
Pastureland
Example
Grasslands for cattle grazing
Definition
Land for herbaceous food production for 5+ years (69% of global agricultural area)
Term
Land Degradation
Example
Soil erosion from deforestation
Definition
Reduction in land quality due to human activities and extreme weather
Diagrams To Know
- Global land use distribution pie chart
- Land degradation causes flowchart
Section Title
Biodiversity Types & Conservation
Important Facts
- Three types: Genetic, Species, Ecological diversity
- Species diversity highest in tropics, decreases toward poles
- Most species-rich: tropical rainforests, coral reefs, ocean bottom
- World GDP $44 trillion highly/moderately dependent on nature
- Threats: climate change, habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, overexploitation
- Conservation methods: protect ecosystems, restore habitats, identify endangered species
Key Definitions
Term
Genetic Diversity
Example
Different rice varieties with unique genetic makeup
Definition
Differences in genetic resources among individuals of same species
Term
Species Diversity
Example
Tropical rainforests having highest species diversity
Definition
Variety of different species in a particular area
Term
Ecological Diversity
Example
Forest ecosystem with interconnected organisms
Definition
Diversity of plant and animal species linked by food webs and chains
Term
Invasive Species
Example
Foreign species competing for resources with local wildlife
Definition
Non-native species that colonize and threaten native species
Term
Overexploitation
Example
Overfishing leading to species depletion
Definition
Overharvesting species faster than they can sustain themselves
Diagrams To Know
- Three types of biodiversity hierarchy
- Biodiversity threats impact diagram
Section Title
Global Warming & Climate Change
Important Facts
- Main greenhouse gases: water vapor, CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, CFCs
- Causes: fossil fuels, deforestation, intensive farming, waste disposal, mining, overconsumption
- Prevention: renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable transport, agriculture
- Paris Agreement goal: limit warming to below 2°C, pursue 1.5°C
- Two policy responses: mitigation and adaptation
- Global warming vs climate change: warming refers to temperature, change includes all measures
Key Definitions
Term
Global Warming
Example
Rising global temperatures due to greenhouse gases
Definition
Phenomenon of general increase in Earth's average temperatures modifying weather balances
Term
Greenhouse Gases
Example
CO2, methane, water vapor, nitrous oxide, CFCs
Definition
Gases that trap heat in Earth's atmosphere
Term
Climate Change Mitigation
Example
Switching to renewable energy sources
Definition
Reducing and stabilizing greenhouse gas levels in atmosphere
Term
Climate Change Adaptation
Example
Building flood defenses against sea level rise
Definition
Adapting to climate change already occurring
Diagrams To Know
- Greenhouse effect mechanism
- Climate change causes and solutions
Section Title
Environmental Hazards & Toxicology
Important Facts
- Hazard types: natural events, physical hazards, social disruptions, biohazards, chronic hazards
- Philippines hit by 20+ typhoons yearly, 5 devastating
- COVID-19 first detected December 31, 2019 in Wuhan, China
- Coastal erosion: rapid-onset (days-weeks) or slow-onset (decades-centuries)
- Erosion causes: waves/currents, mass wasting, subsidence, extreme weather, heavy rainfall
- Mitigation: hardening, vegetation, nourishment, barriers, seawalls
Key Definitions
Term
Environmental Hazards
Example
Natural disasters, pollution, biological agents
Definition
Threats to environment and human health from various causal agents
Term
Biohazards
Example
Pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins
Definition
Organisms or by-products toxic or dangerous to humans
Term
Coastal Degradation
Example
Infrastructure construction near shorelines
Definition
Change or destruction of coastlines due to human activities
Term
Coastal Erosion
Example
Beach erosion from storm surges
Definition
Loss of coastal land due to waves, currents, and human activities
Diagrams To Know
- Types of environmental hazards classification
- Coastal erosion mitigation methods
Section Title
Philippine Environmental Laws
Important Facts
- PD 1586 (1978): Environmental Impact Assessment System
- RA 9729 (2009): Climate Change Act - integrates climate change in policy
- RA 9512 (2008): Environmental Education Act - November as Environmental Month
- Kyoto Protocol: first legally binding climate treaty (2005)
- Paris Agreement: requires all countries to set emission reduction pledges
- Montreal Protocol (1987): historic environmental accord model
Key Definitions
Term
RA 9003
Example
Mandatory waste segregation at source
Definition
Philippine Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 - systematic waste management
Term
RA 9275
Example
Industrial wastewater treatment requirements
Definition
Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004 - protects water bodies from land-based pollution
Term
RA 8749
Example
Vehicle emission standards and monitoring
Definition
Philippine Clean Air Act of 1999 - maintains clean air meeting national standards
Term
RA 6969
Example
Controls import and disposal of toxic materials
Definition
Toxic Substances and Hazardous Waste Control Act of 1990
Diagrams To Know
- Philippine environmental laws timeline
- International environmental agreements chronology
Section Title
Sustainable Development
Important Facts
- Four pillars: human, social, economic, environmental sustainability
- 17 SDGs established in 2015 for 2030 achievement
- SDGs interconnected - actions in one area affect others
- PSSD strategies: 10 implementing techniques including protected areas
- Goal: balance environmental, demographic, economic concerns
- Significance: Earth's population will strain resources within 20 years
Key Definitions
Term
Sustainable Development
Example
Using recycled materials in construction
Definition
Development using resources so they can be renewed for future generations
Term
Four Pillars of Sustainability
Example
Balancing economic growth with environmental protection
Definition
Human, social, economic, and environmental sustainability
Term
SDGs
Example
No poverty, zero hunger, quality education
Definition
17 Sustainable Development Goals by UN for 2030 - global call to end poverty and protect environment
Term
PSSD
Example
Integration of environmental considerations in decision-making
Definition
Philippine Strategy for Sustainable Development - economic growth while protecting biodiversity
Diagrams To Know
- Four pillars of sustainability
- 17 SDGs overview diagram
Must Remember
- Three water treatment phases: Primary (sedimentation/coagulation/filtration) → Secondary (softening/aeration) → Tertiary (chlorination)
- Philippines agricultural land: 41% total (18.2% arable, 17.8% permanent crops, 5% pasture)
- Three biodiversity types: Genetic (within species), Species (between species), Ecological (ecosystem level)
- Main greenhouse gases: water vapor, CO2, methane, nitrous oxide, CFCs
- Top 5 biodiversity threats: climate change, habitat loss, pollution, invasive species, overexploitation
- Major Philippine environmental laws: RA 9003 (Solid Waste), RA 9275 (Clean Water), RA 8749 (Clean Air)
- Paris Agreement goal: limit global warming below 2°C, pursue 1.5°C
- Four pillars of sustainability: human, social, economic, environmental
- 17 SDGs established 2015 for 2030 achievement - interconnected goals
- Xeriscaping: water conservation landscaping most effective in arid/semi-arid areas
Last Minute Tips
- Memorize the exact percentages for Philippine land use (41% agricultural: 18.2% arable, 17.8% permanent crops, 5% pasture)
- Remember the sequence: Primary → Secondary → Tertiary water treatment, each with specific processes
- Associate biodiversity threats with real examples: habitat loss = deforestation, invasive species = foreign species competition
- Know the year and key provisions of major environmental laws: RA 9003 (2000), RA 9275 (2004), RA 8749 (1999)
- Climate change vs global warming: warming = temperature rise, climate change = all weather pattern changes including precipitation and wind
Comparison Tables
Rows
Values
- Sedimentation, Coagulation, Filtration
- Remove suspended sediments and basic pollutants
Property
Primary Treatment
Values
- Softening, Aeration
- Biological treatment for organic compounds
Property
Secondary Treatment
Values
- Chlorination/Disinfection
- Destroy bacteria and final purification
Property
Tertiary Treatment
Columns
- Phase
- Processes
- Purpose
Table Title
Water Treatment Phases
Rows
Values
- Differences in genetic resources within species
- Different rice varieties
Property
Genetic Diversity
Values
- Variety of species in an area
- Tropical rainforest species count
Property
Species Diversity
Values
- Diversity of interconnected ecosystems
- Forest food web relationships
Property
Ecological Diversity
Columns
- Type
- Definition
- Example
Table Title
Types of Biodiversity
Rows
Values
- Reducing greenhouse gas levels
- Renewable energy, energy efficiency
Property
Mitigation
Values
- Adapting to existing climate change
- Flood defenses, drought-resistant crops
Property
Adaptation
Columns
- Type
- Definition
- Examples
Table Title
Climate Change Responses
Previous chapter
Human Rights Laws of the Philippines
Next chapter
Philippine History & Political Science
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