Pathways linking biodiversity to human health : a
conceptual framework

Marselle, MR; Hartig, T; Cox, DT; de Bell, S; Knapp, S; Lindley, S; Triguero-Mas, M; Bohning-Gaese, K; Braubach, M; Cook, PA; de Vries, S; Heintz-Buschart, A; Hoffman, M; Irvine, KN; Kabisch, N; Kolek, F; Kraemer, R; Markevych, I; Martens, D; Muller, R; Nieuwenhuijsen, M; Potts, JM; Stadler, J; Walton, S; Warber, SL; Bonn, A

Abstract

Biodiversity is a cornerstone of human health and well-being. However, while evidence of the contributions of nature to human health is rapidly building, research into how biodiversity relates to human health remains limited in important respects. In particular, a better mechanistic understanding of the range of pathways through which biodiversity can influence human health is needed. These pathways relate to both psychological and social processes as well as biophysical processes. Building on evidence from across the natural, social and health sciences, we present a conceptual framework organizing the pathways linking biodiversity to human health. Four domains of pathways—both beneficial as well as harmful—link biodiversity with human health: (i) reducing harm (e.g. provision of medicines, decreasing exposure to air and noise pollution); (ii) restoring capacities (e.g. attention restoration, stress reduction); (iii) building capacities (e.g. promoting physical activity, transcendent experiences); and (iv) causing harm (e.g. dangerous wildlife, zoonotic diseases, allergens). We discuss how to test components of the biodiversity-health framework with available analytical approaches and existing datasets. In a world with accelerating declines in biodiversity, profound land-use change, and an increase in non-communicable and zoonotic diseases globally, greater understanding of these pathways can reinforce biodiversity conservation as a strategy for the promotion of health for both people and nature. We conclude by identifying research avenues and recommendations for policy and practice to foster biodiversity-focused public health actions.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 22, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Feb 6, 2021
• Publication Date: May 1, 2021
• Deposit Date: Jan 19, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 6, 2021
• Journal: Environment International
• Print ISSN: 0160-4120
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 150
• Pages: 106420
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106420
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106420
• Related Public URLs: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/environment-international
• Additional Information: Funders : Volkswagen Foundation;German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) HalleJena-Leipzig of the German Research Foundation;Dr. Forest project by German Research Foundation;Swedish Research Council Formas;Juan de la Cierva fellowship - Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness;Scottish Government's Rural Affairs, Food and Environment Strategic Research Portfolio;TEAM-NET program of the Foundation for Polish Science;European Regional Development Fund under the Smart Growth Operational Program;Federal Ministry of Education & Research (BMBF);BiodivERsA3 ERA-Net COFUND program (2018-2019 BiodivERsA joint call for research proposals);Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC); Projects : Valuing Nature Program; Grant Number: 96 067; Grant Number: DFGFZT 118 202548816; Grant Number: DFG 428795724; Grant Number: 2016-01157; Grant Number: FJCI-2017-33842; Grant Number: POIR.04.04.001763/18-00; Grant Number: 01LN1705A; Grant Number: 01Kl1717; Grant Number: G0G2319N; Grant Number: NE/N013530/1