Biological diversity underpins many natural systems that are essential for human health and well-being.
Depletion of natural resources, pollution, invasive species, climate change, ocean acidification, and habitat degradation are just some of the human-driven (anthropogenic) factors driving biodiversity loss. According to the World Wildlife Fund’s 2024 Living Planet report, the average size of monitored wildlife populations has shrunk by 73% over the 50 year period between 1970 and 2020. Approximately one million species are facing the threat of extinction—which reflects a dramatic acceleration in the past century.
Biodiversity loss at this scale places at risk nature’s contributions to people, also known as ecosystem services. This includes
regulating contributions (e.g., water purification and climate regulation),
material contributions (e.g., use as medicine, food, energy, etc.), and
non-material contributions (e.g., as a source of inspiration).
Among many examples of the health consequences of biodiversity loss, pollinator decline has been linked toincreased disease and death due to deterioration of healthy food consumption. In turn, unsustainable global food systems have put 83% of species at risk of extinction. In addition, destruction of biodiverse regions has been linked to increased risk of transmission of zoonotic diseases. It is also important to note the mental health impacts of biodiversity loss. “Ecological grief – a sense of distress related to environmental loss – is a growing threat to psychosocial wellbeing.”
Photograph by Eric Kronstadt
“Healthy biodiversity is the essential infrastructure that supports all forms of life on earth, including human life. It also provides nature-based solutions to many of the most critical environmental, economic, and social challenges that we face as human society, including climate change, sustainable development, health, and water and food security.”
Dr. Cristiana Paşca Palmer
Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity, (CBD)
Aquatic biological invasions exacerbate nutritional and health inequities. Trends in Ecology & Evolution.
This article examines how farming non-native fish in controlled environments (aquaculture) can disrupt local ecosystems and food webs, leading to changes in nutrient quality and toxin exposure that worsen health and nutrition inequalities.
The microbiota vault initiative: Safeguarding Earth’s microbial heritage for future generations. Nature Communications.
The Microbiota Vault Initiative aims to preserve Earth’s microbial diversity by securely storing samples from humans, animals, and the environment. It promotes global collaboration, equity, and ethical stewardship to protect future health and ecosystems.
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News
Dominguez-Bello, M.G., Steiger, D., Fankhauser, M., et al.
Biodiversity and human well-being trade-offs and synergies in villages. Nature Sustainability.
Researchers studied 64 Central and Eastern European villages and found that villages in forested areas can support both high biodiversity and human well-being, highlighting the importance of balancing rural development with ecological preservation.
