Story 19 Sep, 2024

Integrating Health into Landscape Conservation: A storymap

The COVID-19 pandemic illuminated the profound interdependence between environmental health and human health, bringing these issues to the forefront of policy discussions. It has become increasingly evident that our health is deeply influenced by the state of the natural landscapes around us. Degraded forests, for example, have been linked to increased risks of disease transmission, poor air and water quality, and the broader degradation of ecosystem services on which human communities rely.

This is why landscape approaches are so vital. These integrated, place-based strategies go beyond traditional conservation efforts by addressing the intricate links between ecosystems, society, and the economy. They offer a cross-sectoral framework for sustainability, bringing together health, environment, and socio-economic goals. However, despite the growing momentum behind health-focused frameworks such as One Health, Ecohealth, Planetary Health, and One Biosecurity, the specific interactions between these approaches and landscape conservation strategies remain under-explored in both political and scientific arenas.

By conserving and restoring forests, we can tackle some of the most pressing public health challenges of our time. Deforestation and forest degradation contribute not only to biodiversity loss but also to the rise of zoonotic diseases and a decline in air and water quality. Research has demonstrated the far-reaching impacts of these environmental changes on human health. As ecosystems become fragmented or degraded, the risks to human populations intensify—whether through increased exposure to diseases, reduced access to clean water, or worsening air quality.

Sustainable forest management and restoration provide a solution. These efforts can help reduce health risks while preserving the essential biodiversity that supports ecosystem services. Moreover, an integrated approach to landscape conservation ensures that the benefits of healthy forests—clean air, fresh water, and resilient ecosystems—are shared by both nature and people.

At IUCN, we are committed to advancing this integrated vision, working to align landscape conservation with public health objectives. Through initiatives that incorporate health into landscape management, we aim to foster healthier ecosystems and communities. The recognition that nature and human health are interconnected must shape our strategies and policies if we are to secure a sustainable future for all.

To explore how IUCN is integrating health into landscape conservation and to learn more about the steps being taken to create healthier ecosystems, visit the following story map:

Story Map: Integrating Health into Landscape Conservation