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http://www.who.int/globalchange/ecosystems/biodiversity/en/index.html

Biodiversity

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity underpins life on Earth, and refers to the variety found in biota from geneticmake up of plants an animals to cultural diversity.

What does biodiversity mean for human health?

People depend on biodiversity in their daily lives, in ways that are not always apparent or

appreciated. uman health ultimately depends upon ecosystem products and services!such as availability of fresh water, food and fuel sources" which are re#uisite for good

human health and productive livelihoods. Biodiversity loss can have significant direct

human health impacts if ecosystem services are no longer ade#uate to meet social needs.$ndirectly, changes in ecosystem services affect livelihoods, income, local migration and,

on occasion, may even cause political conflict.

%dditionally, biophysical diversity of microorganisms, flora and fauna provides extensive

knowledge which carry important benefits for biological, health, and pharmacological

sciences. &ignificant medical and pharmacological discoveries are made through greaterunderstanding of the earth's biodiversity. (oss in biodiversity may limit discovery of

 potential treatments for many diseases and health problems.

Threats to biodiversity and health

)here is growing concern about the health conse#uences of biodiversity loss and change.Biodiversity changes affect ecosystem functioning and significant disruptions of

ecosystems can result in life sustaining ecosystem goods and services. Biodiversity loss

also means that we are losing, before discovery, many of nature's chemicals and genes, ofthe kind that have already provided humankind with enormous health benefits. &pecific

 pressures and linkages between health and biodiversity include:

Nutritional impact of biodiversity

Biodiversity plays a crucial role in human nutrition through its influence on world food production, as it ensures the sustainable productivity of soils and provides the genetic

resources for all crops, livestock, and marine species harvested for food. %ccess to a

sufficiency of a nutritious variety of food is a fundamental determinant of health.

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 *utrition and biodiversity are linked at many levels: the ecosystem, with food production

as an ecosystem service+ the species in the ecosystem and the genetic diversity within

species. *utritional composition between foods and among varieties/cultivars/breeds ofthe same food can differ dramatically, affecting micronutrient availability in the diet.

ealthy local diets, with ade#uate average levels of nutrients intake, necessitates

maintenance of high biodiversity levels.

$ntensified and enhanced food production through irrigation, use of fertilier, plant protection !pesticides" or the introduction of crop varieties and cropping patterns affect

 biodiversity, and thus impact global nutritional status and human health. abitat

simplification, species loss and species succession often enhance communitiesvulnerabilities as a function of environmental receptivity to ill health.

Importance of biodiversity for health research and traditional medicine

)raditional medicine continue to play an essential role in health care, especially in

 primary health care. )raditional medicines are estimated to be used by - of theworld0s population and in some countries are extensively incorporated into the public

health system. 1edicinal plant use is the most common medication tool in traditional

medicine and complementary medicine worldwide. 1edicinal plants are supplied through

collection from wild populations and cultivation. 1any communities rely on natural products collected from ecosystems for medicinal and cultural purposes, in addition to

food.

%lthough synthetic medicines are available for many purposes, the global need anddemand for natural products persists for use as medicinal products and biomedical

research that relies on plants, animals and microbes to understand human physiology and

to understand and treat human diseases.

Infectious diseases

uman activities are disturbing both the structure and functions of ecosystems andaltering native biodiversity. &uch disturbances reduce the abundance of some organisms,

cause population growth in others, modify the interactions among organisms, and alter

the interactions between organisms and their physical and chemical environments.Patterns of infectious diseases are sensitive to these disturbances. 1a2or processes

affecting infectious disease reservoirs and transmission include, deforestation+ land3use

change+ water management e.g. through dam construction, irrigation, uncontrolled

urbaniation or urban sprawl+ resistance to pesticide chemicals used to control certaindisease vectors+ climate variability and change+ migration and international travel and

trade+ and the accidental or intentional human introduction of pathogens.

Climate change, biodiversity and health

Biodiversity provides numerous ecosystem services that are crucial to human well3beingat present and in the future. 4limate is an integral part of ecosystem functioning and

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human health is impacted directly and indirectly by results of climatic conditions upon

terrestrial and marine ecosystems. 1arine biodiversity is affected by ocean acidification

related to levels of carbon in the atmosphere. )errestrial biodiversity is influenced byclimate variability, such as extreme weather events !ie drought, flooding" that directly

influence ecosystem health and the productivity and availability of ecosystem goods and

services for human use. (onger term changes in climate affect the viability and health ofecosystems, influencing shifts in the distribution of plants, pathogens, animals, and even

human settlements.

Documents and resources on biodiversity and health

• 5* 4onvention on Biological 6iversity

78 $nternational 9ear of Biodiversity. Protecting health by protecting the

environment and conserving biodiversity

• Ecosystems and uman ell3Being: Biodiversity &ynthesis !7;" <pdf 8=.>1b?

1illennium Ecosystem %ssessment

•

Biodiversity: $ts $mportance to uman ealth <pdf @@ kb?$nterim Executive &ummary. 4enter for ealth and the Alobal Environment at

arvard 1edical &chool, under the auspices of and 5*EP.

• Alobal Environment utlook: environment for development

AE3> assessment is a comprehensive and authoritative 5* report on

environment, development and human well3being, providing incisive analysis and

information for decision making.

• AE>: 4hapter ; Biodiversity !7C" <pdf 8.@-1b?

Alobal overview describing biodiversity as a key pillar of ecologically sustainable

development, providing a synthesis of the latest information on the state3and3trends of global biodiversity.

•

)he 4ontribution of Protected %reas to uman ealth !78" <pdf -.7=1b?Desearch report by and E#uilibrium Desearch assembles evidence about the

 positive benefits for human health that can be provided by protecting biodiversityand the environment.

• Auideline on good agricultural and collection practices of traditional

medicines !7=" <pdf ?