scholarly journals Human-mediated impacts on biodiversity and the consequences for zoonotic disease spillover

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline K Glidden ◽  
Nicole Nova ◽  
Morgan P Kain ◽  
Katherine M Lagerstrom ◽  
Eloise B Skinner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogen ◽  
Integrated Strategies ◽  
Biodiversity Change ◽  
Phenological Diversity

Human-mediated changes to natural ecosystems have consequences for both ecosystem and human health. Historically, efforts to preserve or restore ‘biodiversity’ can seem to be in opposition to human interests. However, the integration of biodiversity conservation and public health has gained significant traction in recent years, and new efforts to identify solutions that benefit both environmental and human health are ongoing. At the forefront of these efforts is an attempt to clarify ways in which biodiversity conservation can help reduce the risk of zoonotic spillover of pathogens from wild animals, sparking epidemics and pandemics in humans and livestock. However, our understanding of the mechanisms by which biodiversity change influences the spillover process is incomplete, limiting the application of integrated strategies aimed at achieving positive outcomes for both conservation and disease management. Here, we review the literature, considering a broad scope of biodiversity dimensions, to identify cases where zoonotic pathogen spillover is mechanistically linked to changes in biodiversity. By reframing the discussion around biodiversity and disease using mechanistic evidence—while encompassing multiple aspects of biodiversity including functional diversity, landscape diversity, phenological diversity, and interaction diversity—we work toward general principles that can guide future research and more effectively integrate the related goals of biodiversity conservation and spillover prevention. We conclude by summarizing how these principles could be used to integrate the goal of spillover prevention into ongoing biodiversity conservation initiatives.

scholarly journals Impacts of anthropogenic change on biodiversity affect disease spillover risk

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline K Glidden ◽  
Nicole Nova ◽  
Morgan P Kain ◽  
Katherine M Lagerstrom ◽  
Eloise B Skinner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Anthropogenic Change ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogen ◽  
Environment And Health ◽  
Biodiversity Change ◽  
Reduce Risk ◽  
Phenological Diversity

The integration of biodiversity conservation and public health has gained significant traction, leading to new efforts to identify win–win solutions for the environment and health. At the forefront of these efforts is pin-pointing ways in which biodiversity conservation can reduce risk of zoonotic spillover, especially given the consequences of epidemics and pandemics of wild animal origin. However, there is currently an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms by which biodiversity change influences the spillover process, limiting the application of integrated strategies aimed at achieving positive outcomes for both conservation and disease management. Here, we review the literature, considering a broad scope of biodiversity dimensions, to identify cases where zoonotic pathogen spillover is mechanistically linked to changes in biodiversity. By reframing the discussion of biodiversity and disease using mechanistic evidence while encompassing multiple aspects of biodiversity, including functional diversity, landscape diversity, phenological diversity, and interaction diversity, we work toward general principles that can guide future research and more effectively integrate the related goals of biodiversity conservation and spillover prevention. We conclude by summarizing how these principles could be used to integrate spillover prevention into ongoing biodiversity conservation initiatives.

scholarly journals Impacts of anthropogenic change on biodiversity affects disease spillover risk

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline K Glidden ◽  
Nicole Nova ◽  
Morgan P Kain ◽  
Katherine M Lagerstrom ◽  
Eloise B Skinner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Anthropogenic Change ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogen ◽  
Multiple Dimensions ◽  
Biodiversity Change ◽  
Reduce Risk ◽  
The Relationship

The integration of biodiversity conservation and public health has gained significant traction, leading to new efforts to identify win-win solutions for sustainable development and health. At the forefront of these efforts is pinpointing ways that biodiversity conservation can reduce risk of zoonotic spillover, especially given the consequences of pandemics and epidemics of wild animal origin. However, there is currently an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms by which biodiversity change influences the spillover process, limiting the application of integrated strategies aimed at achieving positive outcomes for both conservation and disease management. One limitation has been a narrow focus on the relationship between infectious disease and species richness only, thus missing other relevant dimensions of biodiversity. Here, we review the literature, considering a broad scope of biodiversity definitions, to identify cases where zoonotic pathogen spillover is mechanistically linked to changes in biodiversity. Extending biodiversity to include other dimensions of it, such as functional diversity, landscape diversity, spatiotemporal diversity, and interaction diversity, allows us to identify potential relationships between biodiversity change and zoonotic spillover. By reframing the discussion of biodiversity and disease using mechanistic evidence while encompassing multiple dimensions of biodiversity, we work toward general principles that can guide future research and more effectively integrate the related goals of biodiversity conservation and spillover prevention.

scholarly journals Impacts of anthropogenic change on biodiversity affect disease spillover risk

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline K Glidden ◽  
Nicole Nova ◽  
Morgan P Kain ◽  
Katherine M Lagerstrom ◽  
Eloise B Skinner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive Outcomes ◽  
Anthropogenic Change ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogen ◽  
Multiple Dimensions ◽  
Biodiversity Change ◽  
Reduce Risk ◽  
The Relationship

The integration of biodiversity conservation and public health has gained significant traction, leading to new efforts to identify win-win solutions for sustainable development and health. At the forefront of these efforts is pinpointing ways that biodiversity conservation can reduce risk of zoonotic spillover, especially given the consequences of pandemics and epidemics of wild animal origin. However, there is currently an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms by which biodiversity change influences the spillover process, limiting the application of integrated strategies aimed at achieving positive outcomes for both conservation and disease management. One limitation has been a narrow focus on the relationship between infectious disease and species richness only, thus missing other relevant dimensions of biodiversity. Here, we review the literature, considering a broad scope of biodiversity definitions, to identify cases where zoonotic pathogen spillover is mechanistically linked to changes in biodiversity. Extending biodiversity to include other dimensions of it, such as functional diversity, landscape diversity, spatiotemporal diversity, and interaction diversity, allows us to identify potential relationships between biodiversity change and zoonotic spillover. By reframing the discussion of biodiversity and disease using mechanistic evidence while encompassing multiple dimensions of biodiversity, we work toward general principles that can guide future research and more effectively integrate the related goals of biodiversity conservation and spillover prevention.

scholarly journals Animal sales from Wuhan wet markets immediately prior to the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Xiao ◽  
Chris Newman ◽  
Christina D. Buesching ◽  
David W. Macdonald ◽  
Zhao-Min Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Wildlife Trade ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Protected Species ◽  
Zoonotic Infections ◽  
Global Biodiversity ◽  
Poor Welfare

AbstractHere we document 47,381 individuals from 38 species, including 31 protected species sold between May 2017 and November 2019 in Wuhan’s markets. We note that no pangolins (or bats) were traded, supporting reformed opinion that pangolins were not likely the spillover host at the source of the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. While we caution against the misattribution of COVID-19’s origins, the wild animals on sale in Wuhan suffered poor welfare and hygiene conditions and we detail a range of other zoonotic infections they can potentially vector. Nevertheless, in a precautionary response to COVID-19, China’s Ministries temporarily banned all wildlife trade on 26th Jan 2020 until the COVID-19 pandemic concludes, and permanently banned eating and trading terrestrial wild (non-livestock) animals for food on 24th Feb 2020. These interventions, intended to protect human health, redress previous trading and enforcement inconsistencies, and will have collateral benefits for global biodiversity conservation and animal welfare.

scholarly journals Future trends in measuring physiology in free-living animals

2021 ◽  
Vol 376 (1831) ◽  
pp. 20200230
Author(s):  
H. J. Williams ◽  
J. Ryan Shipley ◽  
C. Rutz ◽  
M. Wikelski ◽  
M. Wilkes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Physiological Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Absolute Minimum ◽  
Physiological Variables ◽  
Non Invasive

Thus far, ecophysiology research has predominantly been conducted within controlled laboratory-based environments, owing to a mismatch between the recording technologies available for physiological monitoring in wild animals and the suite of behaviours and environments they need to withstand, without unduly affecting subjects. While it is possible to record some physiological variables for free-living animals using animal-attached logging devices, including inertial-measurement, heart-rate and temperature loggers, the field is still in its infancy. In this opinion piece, we review the most important future research directions for advancing the field of ‘physiologging’ in wild animals, including the technological development that we anticipate will be required, and the fiscal and ethical challenges that must be overcome. Non-invasive, multi-sensor miniature devices are ubiquitous in the world of human health and fitness monitoring, creating invaluable opportunities for animal and human physiologging to drive synergistic advances. We argue that by capitalizing on the research efforts and advancements made in the development of human wearables, it will be possible to design the non-invasive loggers needed by ecophysiologists to collect accurate physiological data from free-ranging animals ethically and with an absolute minimum of impact. In turn, findings have the capacity to foster transformative advances in human health monitoring. Thus, we invite biomedical engineers and researchers to collaborate with the animal-tagging community to drive forward the advancements necessary to realize the full potential of both fields. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Measuring physiology in free-living animals (Part II)’.

scholarly journals The fragranced products phenomenon: air quality and health, science and policy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Steinemann
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Science And Policy ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Indoor And Outdoor

Abstract Fragrance is used in consumer products around the world. However, fragrance has been associated with adverse effects on indoor and outdoor air quality and human health. Questions arise, such as the following: Why does fragrance in products pose problems? What are sources of emissions and exposures? What are health and societal effects? What are possible solutions? This paper examines the issue of fragranced consumer products and its science and policy dimensions, with a focus on the implications for air quality and human health. Results include new findings and new questions for future research directions.

scholarly journals Cognitive Assessments in Hydration Research Involving Children: Methods and Considerations

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (Suppl. 3) ◽  
pp. 19-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel R. Westfall ◽  
Nicole E. Logan ◽  
Naiman A. Khan ◽  
Charles H. Hillman
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Research Interest ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cognitive Assessments ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Essential Nutrient ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship

The effects of optimal and insufficient hydration on human health have received increasing investigation in recent years. Specifically, water is an essential nutrient for human health, and the importance of hydration on cognition has continued to attract research interest over the last decade. Despite this focus, children remain a relatively understudied population relative to the effects of hydration on cognition. Of those studies investigating children, findings have been inconsistent, resulting from utilizing a wide variety of cognitive domains and cognitive assessments, as well as varied hydration protocols. Here, our aim is to create a primer for assessing cognition during hydration research in children. Specifically, we review the definition of cognition and the domains of which it is composed, how cognition has been measured in both field- and laboratory-based assessments, results from neuroimaging methods, and the relationship between hydration and academic achievement in children. Lastly, future research considerations are discussed.

scholarly journals Numerical assessment in the wild: insights from social carnivores

2018 ◽  
Vol 373 (1740) ◽  
pp. 20160508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Benson-Amram ◽  
Geoff Gilfillan ◽  
Karen McComb
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Playback Experiments ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Numerical Assessment ◽  
Individual Discrimination ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Assessment Skills ◽  
In The Wild

Playback experiments have proved to be a useful tool to investigate the extent to which wild animals understand numerical concepts and the factors that play into their decisions to respond to different numbers of vocalizing conspecifics. In particular, playback experiments have broadened our understanding of the cognitive abilities of historically understudied species that are challenging to test in the traditional laboratory, such as members of the Order Carnivora. Additionally, playback experiments allow us to assess the importance of numerical information versus other ecologically important variables when animals are making adaptive decisions in their natural habitats. Here, we begin by reviewing what we know about quantity discrimination in carnivores from studies conducted in captivity. We then review a series of playback experiments conducted with wild social carnivores, including African lions, spotted hyenas and wolves, which demonstrate that these animals can assess the number of conspecifics calling and respond based on numerical advantage. We discuss how the wild studies complement those conducted in captivity and allow us to gain insights into why wild animals may not always respond based solely on differences in quantity. We then consider the key roles that individual discrimination and cross-modal recognition play in the ability of animals to assess the number of conspecifics vocalizing nearby. Finally, we explore new directions for future research in this area, highlighting in particular the need for further work on the cognitive basis of numerical assessment skills and experimental paradigms that can be effective in both captive and wild settings. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘The origins of numerical abilities’.

Changing legislative thinking in China to better protect wild animals and human health

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guirong Fang ◽  
Hong Liu ◽  
Ka Wu ◽  
Tongqing Wei ◽  
Qing Wang
Keyword(s):  
Human Health ◽  
Wild Animals

Sustainable use of wild plant species: A research bibliography

Social Change ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 33 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 204-221
Author(s):  
Ghazala Shahabuddin
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Wild Plant ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Nature Protection ◽  
Plant Resources ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Field Methods

During the last few decades, there has been a growing realisation that biodiversity conservation cannot be successful without the active involvement of the people living close to and dependent on natural ecosystems for their survival and livelihoods. Consequently, there has been a gradual broadening of the global conservation agenda from strict nature protection to include the sustainable use of natural resources, which is now reflected in governmental policy the world over. However, as conservationists strive today towards the harmonisation of people's needs with biodiversity conservation, one of the most elusive, yet critical, goals for them has been the sustainable extraction of plant resources from the wild. Hundreds of plant species continue to be extracted from natural habitats for use as food, medicine, fuel and fodder in households and for commercial sale, both legally and illegally. As a consequence of unmonitored extraction and over-exploitation, many plant species populations are reported to be declining in the wild. In the face of increasing pressure on forest resources, it has become more important than ever before to devise quantitative management policies for sustainable plant use so that both forests and the livelihoods of millions of rural people who are dependent on them, can be sustained. One of the major stumbling blocks for conservationists in developing countries, who are attempting to design and implement sustainable forest management systems, is the lack of information on the state-of-the-art in this field, especially that relating to field methods, data analysis, data recording and monitoring systems. In order to fill this lacuna, a comprehensive bibliography of studies undertaken so far in the science of sustainable use from terrestrial ecosystems is presented here. The scope of this bibliography includes sustainable

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