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S-SCEN001TP BSA33 Environmental Science - 2nd Semester (SY 2021-2022)

Biodiversity, Ecosystem Stability, and Endangered Species Acts

Understanding Health
Immersive Reader

What is Health?
Health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-
being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. It is also:

1. one of the most basic human rights,

2. one of the most important indicators of sustainable development and,
3. the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity vital for the continued functioning of ecosystems at all scales
as well as for the delivery of ecosystem services that are essential for human health.

The links between biodiversity and health are manifested at various spatial and temporal scales. In fact, the
interconnection of biodiversity, human health, and the respective policies and activities can be traced from planetary-
scale biomes to human-microbial interactions:

1. At the planetary scale – biodiversity and ecosystems play a critical role in determining the state of the Earth System,
regulating its material and energy flows and its responses to abrupt or gradual change.

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2. At a more intimate level, the human microbiota – the symbiotic microbial communities present on our gut, skin,
respiratory and urogenital tracts, contributes to our nutrition, can help regulate our immune system, and prevent
infections.

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