Biodiversity: The unsung hero of human health and ecosystem resilience

The team behind the publication includes Research Officer Dr Renata Muylaert and Professor David Hayman from Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s School of Veterinary Science.

Human Health Thrives Thanks To Biodiversity was published in a scientific journal for kids titled Frontiers for Young Minds. It highlights the connections between biodiversity and human health.

The article explains the array of benefits that diverse ecosystems provide and how they contribute to human health. It argues that as the world faces unprecedented environmental challenges, the need to protect biodiversity has never been more urgent.

Dr Muylaert says biodiversity underpins the essential services provided by ecosystems.

"Ecosystems rely on the variety of organisms interacting within them to function properly. These interactions are responsible for critical processes such as pollination, nutrient cycling and climate regulation. Without biodiversity, ecosystems would lose their resilience, affecting their ability to support human life.”

She says one of the most visible ways that biodiversity impacts human health is through its role in agriculture.

“Diverse agricultural systems, which include a variety of crops and species, are more resistant to environmental stresses such as droughts or disease outbreaks. This contrasts with monocultures, where the cultivation of a single crop leaves regions generally more vulnerable to pests, diseases and climate anomalies.”

The research also illustrates how biodiversity is critical for medical research and pharmaceutical development. Many life-saving medicines have been derived from plants, animals and microorganisms found in nature.

Professor Hayman, who sits as the Percival Carmine Chair in Epidemiology and Public Health, explains that by preserving biodiversity we safeguard our ability to develop future treatments for diseases.

“From antibiotics derived from soil bacteria to cancer treatments developed from rainforest plants, nature has proven to be a rich source of medicinal compounds. However, as biodiversity declines, so too does the potential for new medical discoveries. The loss of species could mean the loss of treatments for diseases that are yet to be discovered.”

Another key point in the research is the importance of biodiversity in regulating disease transmission. Healthy ecosystems with high biodiversity can act as buffers against the spread of zoonotic diseases (diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans). In diverse ecosystems, the presence of a wide variety of species makes it more difficult for pathogens to spread among animal hosts and then jump to humans.

The loss of biodiversity, particularly in regions where wildlife has no choice but to remain in close contact with human populations, can have the opposite effect, increasing the likelihood of zoonotic diseases emerging.

Professor Hayman points to recent pandemics as a reminder of how the destruction of natural habitats can facilitate the spillover of diseases from wildlife to humans.

"As we encroach on wildlife habitats and reduce biodiversity, we create conditions that allow pathogens to emerge and spread," he says.

Despite its immense value, biodiversity is under threat from a range of human activities, including deforestation, pollution, overfishing and climate change. Habitat destruction is one of the leading causes of biodiversity loss, as forests, wetlands and other ecosystems are cleared for agriculture, urbanisation and industrial development.

Dr Muylaert says the loss of biodiversity is not just an environmental issue, it is a public health issue.

“The expansion of unsustainable agricultural practices has led to the overuse of chemical pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers, which not only pollute the environment but also reduce biodiversity. As a collateral effect, these chemicals can disrupt ecosystems, killing beneficial insects such as pollinators, which are vital for crop production, and contaminating waterways, affecting soil organisms and aquatic life.”

She says that by recognising the interconnections between biodiversity and human wellbeing, society can take meaningful steps toward preserving the natural world for future generations.

“Our health depends on the health of the planet. If we fail to protect biodiversity, we jeopardise our own survival,” Professor Hayman concludes.