Health of ecosystems and wild species, predictions and impacts on human health, in the face of existing and emerging stressors, from a One Health approach

Expected outcome

Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes:

• transdisciplinary research communities work together to predict the health of ecosystems and wild species (including physiology, genetic diversity, population distribution and ecology) in the face of the existing and emerging stressors induced by the indirect and direct drivers of biodiversity loss (including but not restricted to climate change and pollution), through increased knowledge and monitoring;
• policymakers, public authorities, stakeholders and citizens better understand the interlinkages between wild species and ecosystems health, domestic animal and plant health and human health. The progress of public authorities and policymakers towards a comprehensive One Health governance is assessed, thanks to the development of science-based indicators.

Scope

The One Health approach recognises the inherent connection between the health of ecosystems, wildlife, humans, domestic animals and plants. This approach is key to prevent, anticipate, detect and respond to health threats across sectors. It has the potential to reduce the impact and societal and economic costs of such threats and prevent their emergence, while also reducing pressures on the environment, contributing to food security and ensuring access to clean air and water.

Proposals should support the objectives and the implementation of the EU Green Deal, the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework as well as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health. Proposals should seek the mainstreaming of the One Health approach, address the knowledge gaps identified by IPBES assessments, and provide policy recommendations.

Proposals should:

• describe the current health status of the ecosystems and wild species most susceptible to interact with human health (including terrestrial, freshwater and marine ones, with no geographical restrictions). Describe the impact of the stressors induced by the drivers of biodiversity loss and changes in ecosystem dynamics on their health, meaning their physiology, genetic diversity, population distribution and ecology. Taking into consideration the most updated scientific scenarios (e.g. IPBES nexus assessment), predict the future health status of these ecosystems and wild species in the short, mid and long term;
• propose benchmark protocols to ensure comparability between research communities (including social sciences and humanities) and define common indicators describing the risks (e.g. loss of ecosystem services, exposure to pollutants and pathogens) and benefits (e.g. dilution effect, exposure to beneficial microorganisms, etc.) of the interlinkages of wild species and ecosystem health, domestic animal and plant health and human health. This includes the integration of ecosystem and wildlife health in the exposome approach;
• assess the impacts of the degradation of ecosystem and wildlife health on human health, including a cost-benefit analysis of nature restoration and conservation projects in terms of human health benefits and the costs of inaction. This should include disability and intersectional aspects and the groups in the most vulnerable situations in society (e.g. low-income communities, youth, older people, persons with disabilities, LGBTIQ people, people with racial or religious minority background). Based on this, provide actionable policy recommendations for policymakers and authorities in establishing a One Health policy framework.

Proposals should foresee appropriate resources to ensure close cooperation with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) and its Science Service and ensure cooperation with the EU Biodiversa+ and Animal Health and Welfare partnerships. Proposals should also build on the relevant previous Horizon Europe projects.

This topic requires the effective contribution of SSH discipline in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities.

[1] https://www.cbd.int/health/GAP.shtml

[2] European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare