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Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Services, and Their Role in Promoting Sustainable Health

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Abstract

Biodiversity loss, driven by human activities, has emerged as a global concern with far-reaching implications for ecosystems, economies, and public health. It is essential for the functioning of biotopes and the provision of ecosystem services which are critical for human survival and thriving. Ecosystem services encompass many benefits that ecosystems provide to humanity. Loss of biological diversity, including pollinators, can hinder crop yields, resulting in reduced nutritional diversity in diets. Furthermore, it disrupts the ability of ecosystems to regulate the climate. Biodiversity-rich ecosystems tend to have a dampening effect on disease transmission, particularly zoonotic diseases that originate in wildlife. To promote sustainable health in the face of its loss, a multifaceted approach is essential. Conservation efforts aimed at preserving the diversity of living organisms and ecosystem services are crucial steps in safeguarding human health. Additionally, policy interventions that integrate ecological and health considerations can help mitigate the loss of biological diversity. Finally, it should be noted that ecological services and, by extension, human health are seriously threatened by biodiversity loss. Recognizing the interdependence of these factors is essential for addressing the complex challenges posed by them and for promoting sustainable health on a global scale.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Student, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, India

    Ishani Sharma

  2. Junior Consultant, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

    Santosh Birman

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Correspondence to Ishani Sharma .

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  1. Department of Environmental Studies, PGDAV College of Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi, India

    Pardeep Singh

  2. Ctr. Social Medicine & Com. Health, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Delhi, India

    Neha Yadav

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Sharma, I., Birman, S. (2024). Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Services, and Their Role in Promoting Sustainable Health. In: Singh, P., Yadav, N. (eds) The Climate-Health-Sustainability Nexus. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-56564-9_7

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