Biodiversity Loss Linked to Increase in Disease Outbreaks, Study Finds
A recent study published in the journal Nature has highlighted the significant role of biodiversity loss in driving the outbreak of infectious diseases, leading to an increase in their risk and scope.
Research Methodology
The study conducted a meta-analysis of 972 research papers and 2,938 observations to identify the leading contributors to escalating outbreak risks. It focused on 1,497 host-parasite relationships across human, plant, and animal hosts.
Key Global Change Drivers
The research examined five key global change drivers:
- Biodiversity loss
- Climate change
- Non-native species
- Chemical pollution
- Habitat loss
The findings indicate that all factors except habitat loss contribute to disease spread, affecting both human and non-human diseases. Biodiversity loss was identified as the leading contributor to the escalating outbreak risk, followed by climate change and the introduction of non-native species.
Importance of Biodiversity Preservation
The study emphasizes the crucial role of biodiversity preservation in mitigating the increasing risk of disease outbreaks. The dilution effect theory suggests that declining biodiversity can lead to a higher prevalence of disease-transmitting species, thereby elevating the risk of disease spread.
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for emission reduction, biodiversity preservation, and invasive species prevention to enhance global disease control, mitigation, and surveillance efforts. These efforts align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations.
Impact of Urbanization
The study also highlights the impact of urbanization on disease spread. Urban areas tend to have a smaller number of species that can thrive in the environment. Greater sanitation and health infrastructure in urban areas help to contain disease spread.
Advocacy for Policy Changes
Professor Jason Rohr from the University of Notre Dame in the US, the lead researcher of the study, emphasizes the need to advocate for policies that promote emission reduction, biodiversity preservation, and invasive species prevention. These policy changes are essential to alleviate the impact of diseases and enhance global disease control efforts.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being |
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SDG 13: Climate Action |
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SDG 15: Life on Land |
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Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 15: Life on Land.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
– Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other communicable diseases.
– Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
– Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
– Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
– Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
– Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:
– Indicator 3.3.1: Number of new HIV infections per 1,000 uninfected population, by sex, age, and key populations.
– Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution.
– Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
– Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food production.
– Indicator 15.1.1: Forest area as a proportion of total land area.
– Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index.
These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets and assess the impact of actions taken to address the issues discussed in the article.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being |
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