Biodiversity and health: Lessons and recommendations from an interdisciplinary conference to advise Southeast Asian research, society and policy

Bruno Andreas Walther, Christophe Boëte, Aurélie Binot, Youlet By, Julien Cappelle, Juan Carrique-Mas, Monidarin Chou, Neil Furey, Sothea Kim, Claire Lajaunie, Sovan Lek, Philippe Méral, Malyne Neang, Boon Huan Tan, Catherine Walton, Serge Morand

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Southeast Asia is an economic, biodiverse, cultural and disease hotspot. Due to rapid socio-economic and environmental changes, the role of biodiversity and ecosystems for human health ought to be examined and communicated to decision-makers and the public. We therefore summarized the lessons and recommendations from an interdisciplinary conference convened in Cambodia in 2014 to advise Southeast Asian societies on current research efforts, future research needs, and to provide suggestions for improved education, training and science-policy interactions. First, we reviewed several examples of the important role of ecosystems as 'sentinels' in the sense that potentially harmful developments for human health become first apparent in ecosystem components. Other ecosystem services which also benefit human well-being are briefly summarized. Second, we summarized the recommendations of the conference's roundtable discussions and added recent developments in the science-policy interface. The recommendations were organized along five themes: Ethical and legal considerations; implementation of the One Health approach; education, training, and capacity building; future research priorities; and potential science-policy interactions. While the role of biodiversity for human health needs further research, especially for zoonoses and emerging diseases, many direct and indirect benefits to human health are already apparent, but have yet to filter down to the science-policy interface in order to influence legislation and enforcement. Therefore, efforts to strengthen the interface in Southeast Asia should become a high priority in order to strengthen the health and resilience of Southeast Asian societies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)29-46
Number of pages18
JournalInfection, Genetics and Evolution
Volume40
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 1 2016

Keywords

  • Antibiotic resistance
  • Biodiversity
  • Ecosystem services
  • Evolution
  • Science-policy interface
  • Southeast Asia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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