Interaction between conservation and population health
Nature conservation and its relationship with the quality of life and health of the local population.
- Conservation and maintenance of functional environmental conditions are a priority to avoid emerging and zoonotic diseases.
- Preservation of local knowledge and appreciation by indigenous peoples of plants and animals for use in local medicine and culture.
- Management actions by protected areas to systematize and rescue local knowledge.
The relationship between nature and health is becoming more and more critical, there are many empirical evidences that diseases that affect humans through the relationship with wild species can cause outbreaks and new pandemics. In this sense, the conservation and maintenance of stable natural conditions and functional food chains can reduce this risk.
The risk of degradation affecting vulnerable people in local communities is very high, so protected areas are playing a critical role in conservation.