Biodiversity and health in the urban environment

Marselle, MR; Lindley, SJ; Cook, PA; Bonn, A

Abstract

Biodiversity underpins urban ecosystem functions that are essential for human health and well-being. Understanding how biodiversity relates to human health is a developing frontier for science, policy and practice. This article describes the beneficial, as well as harmful, aspects of biodiversity to human health in urban environments. Recent research shows that contact with biodiversity of natural environments within towns and cities can be both positive and negative to human physical, mental and social health and well-being. For example, while viruses or pollen can be seriously harmful to human health, biodiverse ecosystems can promote positive health and well-being. On balance, these influences are positive. As biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate, research suggests that its loss could threaten the quality of life of all humans. A key research gap is to understand-and evidence-the specific causal pathways through which biodiversity affects human health. A mechanistic understanding of pathways linking biodiversity to human health can facilitate the application of nature-based solutions in public health and influence policy. Research integration as well as cross-sector urban policy and planning development should harness opportunities to better identify linkages between biodiversity, climate and human health. Given its importance for human health, urban biodiversity conservation should be considered as public health investment.

Citation

Marselle, M., Lindley, S., Cook, P., & Bonn, A. (2021). Biodiversity and health in the urban environment. Current Environmental Health Reports, 8(2), 146-156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-021-00313-9

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 6, 2021
• Online Publication Date: May 12, 2021
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: May 27, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: May 27, 2021
• Journal: Current Environmental Health Reports
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 146-156
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-021-00313-9
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40572-021-00313-9
• Related Public URLs: http://link.springer.com/journal/40572
• Additional Information: Additional Information : ** From PubMed via Jisc Publications Router **Journal IDs: eissn 2196-5412 **Article IDs: pubmed: 33982150; pii: 10.1007/s40572-021-00313-9; pmc: PMC8115992 **History: accepted 06-04-2021; Funders : Volkswagen Foundation;German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN);German Research Foundation;Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC);Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC); Projects : BIOCLIM project;Valuing Nature Program; Grant Number: 96 067; Grant Number: 3514 80 020A; Grant Number: DFG–FZT 118, 202548816; Grant Number: NE/N013530/1