Group 8 - Biodiversity and The Healthy Society

BIODIVERSITY AND THE
HEALTHY SOCIETY
PASAGUE, JAYVEE H.
PERMELONA, ASHLEY NICOLE S.
QUIBRAL, REANNE JAMES S.
REAZON, JAN RACELL B.
What is BIODIVERSITY?
• Biodiversity is the biological
variety and variability of life on
Earth. Biodiversity is a measure of
variation at the genetic, species,
and ecosystem level. Terrestrial
biodiversity is usually greater near
the equator, which is the result of
the warm climate and high
primary productivity.
What does BIODIVERSITY mean for human
health?
• People depend on biodiversity in their
daily lives, in ways that are not always
apparent or appreciated. Human
health ultimately depends upon
ecosystem products and services
(such as availability of fresh water,
food and fuel sources) which are
requisite for good human health and
productive livelihoods.
Threats to BIODIVERSITY and HEALTH
• There is growing concern about the health consequences of
biodiversity loss. 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, of the
kind that have already provided humankind with enormous
health benefits.
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.
• Nutrition 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.
• Intensified and enhanced food production through
irrigation, use of fertilizer, plant protection
(pesticides) or the introduction of crop varieties
and cropping patterns affect biodiversity, and thus
impact global nutritional status and human health.
Importance of BIODIVERSITY for health
research and traditional medicine
• Traditional medicine continue to play an essential role in health care,
especially in primary health care. Traditional medicines are estimated to be
used by 60% of the world’s population and in some countries are extensively
incorporated into the public health system.
• Medicinal plant use is the most common medication tool in traditional
medicine and complementary medicine worldwide.
• Many communities rely on natural products collected from ecosystems for
medicinal and cultural purposes, in addition to food.
• Although synthetic medicines are available for many purposes, the global
need and demand 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
• Human activities are disturbing both the structure
and functions of ecosystems and altering native
biodiversity. Such 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.
• Major processes affecting infectious disease
reservoirs and transmission include, deforestation;
land-use change; water management e.g. through
dam construction, irrigation, uncontrolled
urbanization or urban sprawl; resistance to
pesticide chemicals used to control certain
disease 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 well-
being at present and in the future.
• Climate is an integral part of ecosystem
functioning and human health is impacted
directly and indirectly by results of climatic
conditions upon terrestrial and marine
ecosystems.
• Longer term changes in climate affect the
viability and health of ecosystems,
influencing shifts in the distribution of plants,
pathogens, animals, and even human
settlements.
Key Facts
• Biodiversity provides many goods and services essential to life on earth. The management of
natural resources can determine the baseline health status of a community. Environmental
stewardship can contribute to secure livelihoods and improve the resilience of communities. The loss
of these resources can create the conditions responsible for morbidity or mortality.
• Biodiversity supports human and societal needs, including food and nutrition security, energy,
development of medicines and pharmaceuticals and freshwater, which together underpin good health.
It also supports economic opportunities, and leisure activities that contribute to overall wellbeing.
• Land use change, pollution, poor water quality, chemical and waste contamination, climate change
and other causes of ecosystem degradation all contribute to biodiversity loss and, can pose
considerable threats to human health.
• Human health and well-being are influenced by the health of local plant and animal
communities, and the integrity of the local ecosystems that they form.
• Infectious diseases cause over one billion human infections per year, with millions of deaths each
year globally. Approximately two thirds of known human infectious diseases are shared with animals,
and the majority of recently emerging diseases are associated with wildlife.
Thank you 

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BIODIVERSITY AND THE

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