Dedicated to Paul Epstein Friends or Foes? Pim Martens Maastricht - PDF document

14-11-11 Biodiversity and Health Dedicated to Paul Epstein Friends or Foes? Pim Martens Maastricht University-Leuphana University -Stellenbosch University Thanks to Dolf de Groot Biodiversity ¡and ¡ecosystem ¡func2ons ¡crucial ¡for ¡human ¡ Health as an integrated sustainability index health ¡ Ecosystems Natural Natural systems environment Geophysical systems Socio- Health Economic developments Culture Social Population Society environment Politics “The world’s Tropical Forests are in trouble What is an ecosystem ? … ” Ecosystem : „ Dynamic complex of plant and animal communities Oil Palm Plantations Land clearing (for Climate change and their non-living environment, interacting as a functional unit“ (& other “ energy crops ” Cultivation etc) Over-use of resources Logging Many different scales: Ranging from small pond Pollution (mining of few m 2 to Tropical Forest of 10.000 km 2 (& poaching, collecting etc) gold, bauxite, etc.) 1

14-11-11 “ The world’s Oceans are in trouble … ” Over-fishing Climate change Lepers et al. 2003, based on data from Archard et al. 2002, De Fries et al. 2002 and Landsat Pathfinder � Transport Habitat & species loss.. Hot spots of tropical deforestation, and the causitive patterns of Pollution tropical deforestation from 1850 to 1997, showing the proximate � and underlying drivers of change � species-shifts/bio-invasions The Global Loss of Biodiversity Estimated loss of species: 27.000 per year (or one species every 20 minutes) 100-1000 times faster than 1-30 million natural extinction rates (Levin, Am. Scientist, 2002) 73% 62% Pre-peak The total biodiversity loss 2000-2050: Year of Peak Fish Harvest Harvest peak All biodiversity of 1,300 million ha converted to asphalt . Post-peak (about 1.5 times the United States) Source: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and Sea Around Us project Is this a problem ..?? Ecosystem Services: “ the benefits people derive from ecosystems ” True value (importance) often “ Everyone in the world depends on nature and ecosystem services to only becomes clear after what provide the conditions for a decent, healthy, and secure life ” we valued is gone 10 (Eco)systems -> 20 different services Provisioning Regulating ? -Water purif. - Food, Fiber -Storm prot. - Medicins -C-sequest; -etc - etc Supporting Cultural - Biodiversity -Spiritual values -Artistic inspir. - Bio-geochem. Or: why are (natural) ecosystems important ? cycles.; etc. -Aesthetics, etc. From natural and cultivated (eco)systems 2

14-11-11 Provisioning Services bio-­‑prospecting ¡-­‑ ¡coral ¡reef ¡biodiversity ¡ ¡ Alzheimer's ¡Disease ¡ Cancer ¡ Food Water Wood, Fiber, other Raw materials Ornaments & souvenirs Medicins Source : Manfred Walser / Christian Neumann, June 2008, “ The Value of our Oceans ” , WWF Germany Increasing SST and Coral Bleaching � WRI 2000 � Images: Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Australia � Regulating services: Biological Control Regulating services: Water purification capacity of Wetlands Many commercial crops depend on Organic Matter & Nutrients natural pollination (based on sustainable use levels) by birds & insects Org. matter : 26 kg BOD/ha/day (=ca 300 pers.equiv.) Nitrogen: 365 - 2.715 kg/ha/year Phosphate: 365-1.330 kg/ha/year Other (human) waste: Animals that eat insects and small mammals eg. pesticides, metallic elements (eg. mercury), oil, etc. have an important pest-control function ( danger of accumulation and irreversable effects ) 3

14-11-11 Supporting services: Cultural & Amenity Services Genepool protection (& evolutionary processes) Eco-tourism Centers of Genetic Diversity coincide largely with Biodiversity Hotspots Amenity Screen- In pictures … value savers … in books, lit, painting Therapeutic Nature in Art Value Science & Education Most of our food comes from only 11 crops (eg. rice, maize, potatoes) To maintain their vitality and productivity, they need regular cross- breeding with their wild ancestors More biodiversity: improved health? Layers of Uncertainty Underlying the Health Impacts Assessment of Biodiversty Loss Exotic species (Travel, transport) Insects and rodents Atmospheric changes scientific uncertainties social and economic uncertainties Social responses Impacts on ecological (economical, Trade-offs: determinants of political, and human health technological) Eradication Bats Latin America – decline rabies and other diseases -improved health through healthy livestock – more mosquitoes – risks malaria & dengue Impacts upon human health Water-management Great Lakes – less swamps – less mosquitoes – - But decline local fisheries Nature is “ priceless ” … Biodiversity and Human Health: A Change of Scale and Content Eco-Epidemiology/Ecohealth ‘ Conventional ’ Epidemiology – Ecological – Toxicological – Assessment of future – Estimation of risks from past realities health risks – Short time horizon – Long time horizon – Estimation of global/ – Estimation of more local regional risks risks – Statistical models – Mathematical models – Static cause-effect – System dynamic, nonlinear models – Holistic Approach – Reductionistic approach 4