Biodiversity loss can seriously affect our health, so it's important to understand how this happens. Here are some ways it impacts us:
Ecosystem Services: Different ecosystems give us important services like pollination, clean water, and climate balance.
For example, when bee populations decline, it can hurt food production. This might lead to food shortages and our diets missing key nutrients.
Disease Regulation: Healthy ecosystems help keep diseases in check.
A variety of plants and animals can control pests, which are often responsible for spreading diseases. When we lose biodiversity, we might see more mosquitoes and other pests. This can lead to outbreaks of diseases like malaria and Zika.
Medicinal Resources: Many medicines come from plants and animals.
If these species disappear, we could lose out on future treatments. For instance, the rosy periwinkle, a plant from Madagascar, has been very important in treating leukemia and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Mental Health: Being around diverse ecosystems, like forests and wetlands, can improve our mental well-being.
When we lose these natural spaces, it can increase stress and anxiety for people who enjoy spending time in nature.
In short, protecting biodiversity is not just about saving the environment. It is crucial for our health and survival!
Biodiversity loss can seriously affect our health, so it's important to understand how this happens. Here are some ways it impacts us:
Ecosystem Services: Different ecosystems give us important services like pollination, clean water, and climate balance.
For example, when bee populations decline, it can hurt food production. This might lead to food shortages and our diets missing key nutrients.
Disease Regulation: Healthy ecosystems help keep diseases in check.
A variety of plants and animals can control pests, which are often responsible for spreading diseases. When we lose biodiversity, we might see more mosquitoes and other pests. This can lead to outbreaks of diseases like malaria and Zika.
Medicinal Resources: Many medicines come from plants and animals.
If these species disappear, we could lose out on future treatments. For instance, the rosy periwinkle, a plant from Madagascar, has been very important in treating leukemia and Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Mental Health: Being around diverse ecosystems, like forests and wetlands, can improve our mental well-being.
When we lose these natural spaces, it can increase stress and anxiety for people who enjoy spending time in nature.
In short, protecting biodiversity is not just about saving the environment. It is crucial for our health and survival!