Biodiversity Loss and One Health

biodiversity

variety of life on Earth

genetic diversity

the amount of variation in the genetic material within all members of a population- ensures resistance

species diversity

number of different species in the biosphere or in a particular region- stabilizes ecological networks

ecosystem diversity

variety of habitats, living communities, and ecological processes in the living world- different habitats provide unique services like climate regulation and water purification

why does biodiversity matter (3)

ecosystem stability, source of food and medicines, disease regulation

current global biodiversity trends (4)

rapid extinction rates, habitat loss, climate change, biodiversoty hotspots

extinction

a species that no longer has any living individuals

current mass extinction

sixth in natural history, first due to human causes

habitat alteration

change in land use or cover that has an impact on local ecosystems

invasive species

species that enter new ecosystems and multiply, harming native species and their habitats- often accidentally or even deliberately introduced by humans

pollution

any matter or energy released into the environment that causes undesirable impacts on the health and wellbeing of humans or other organisms

overharvesting/overuse/overexploitation

refers to haresting a renewable resource to the point of diminishing returns

examples of habitat alteration by humans (5)

farming practices, deforestation, hydroelectric dams, urbanization and suburban sprawl, grazing animals and livestock

zoonotic diseases

illnesses transmitted from animals to humans

connection

as forests cleared, wildlife, livestock and humans are brough into closer contact

spillover

increased contact creates new pathways for pathogens to jump from animals to humans

deforestation and malaria (3)

deforestation creates mosquito habitats, increased human-vector contact, amazon- malaria incidence rises

nipah virus spillover (3)

fruit bat habitat loss, pigs as amplifying hosts, outbreaks in Malaysia and Bangladesh

2 control measures to reduce nipah virus spillover

bamboo skirts to cover date palm syrup collecting pots from fruit bat contamination (excretions), increased price for verified safe syrup creates incentive for collectors to follow safe practices

4 types of pollution

water pollution, agricultural runoff, air pollution degrades, oil and chemical spills

Endangered species Act 1973

forbids the government and private citizens from taking actions that destroy endangered species or their habitats- prevents extinction, stabilizes declining populations, enables population recovery

exitinct

The end of group of organisms through the destruction of the species through natural causes such as long periods of droughts or through human interference- quagga

what drove the Kuauai'o'o bird extinct

invasive predators (polynesian rats, domestic pigs), mosquitoes carrying avian diseases- introduced by humans

extinct in the wild

species has been wiped out in the wild and the remaining species are under careful watch in zoos or conservatories to ensure that those species continue to exist- hawaiian crow

critically endangered

at a high risk of becoming extinct either in the wild or altogether- black rhino

the palm oil industry

linked to deforestation, habitat degredation, animal cruelty- critically endangered orangutans

endangered species

species population has decreased in size and is projected to decrease even more in the future- red panda

vulnerable

species have begun to show signs characteristic of being endangered, decreasing populations or habitat space- polar bear

near- threatened

species with the potential to become endangered, still abundanr in numbers but current trends depict negative route for these animals- zebra

least concern

not currently in risk of exticntion nor are they likely to become under risk in the future- humans

maintenance through conservation techniques (3)

species approach, ecosystem approach, wildlife management approach

species approach

protecting endangered species through legislation

ecosystem approach

preserving balanced ecosystems

wildlife management approach

managing game species for sustained yield through international treaties

how increased biodiversity may reduce disease risk

dilution effect, stable ecosystems reduce outbreaks, predators control reservoirs

how increased biodiversity may increase disease risk

more species = more reservoirs, new zoonotic spillovers, human behaviour is the ultimate driver

bushmeat

the hunting and consumption of wild animals for food- significant threat to endangered species and disease emergence

what does WASH stand for

water, sanitation and hygiene

how may floods increase disease

increases faecal contamination, increases waterborne diseases

4 exmples of waterborne diseases

campylobacter, cryptosporidium, vibrio, giardia

how does food insecurity increase disease outbreaks

malnturition weakens immunity, forces greater population movementsm more likely to resort to bushmeat

one health solutions to food insecurity

climate-resilient agriculture, combination food and public health aid, monitor animal health, encourage intersectorial collaboration

symptoms of heat stress in animals

reduced fertility and productivity, higher mortality, shifts in livestock disease patterns

one example of wildlife disease surveillance

lemur blood transcriptomes showed novel zoontoci pathogens in madagascar- devastating if illegally traded

biofouling

accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, or small animals where it is not wanted on surfaces such as ship and submarine hulls

challenges and solutions of biofouling

currently toxic paints used to control, bad for ocean environments, trialing silicon paints instead

microplastic role in pathogens

can act as substrate for pathogens allowing for drug resistance

7 zoonotic parasites from reptiles

giardia, strongyloides, trichomonas, ophid ascaris, pentastomids, salmonella, q fever (coxiella burnetti)