What is needed to further understand the value of plants and the wider environment to society, and how is this relationship eroded by pests and disease?

Background

Human and animal health are closely entwined, often via the environment in which they interact. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a forceful demonstration of this interaction. Human and animal health is also strongly influenced by the “health” of the environment. These interactions, considered as a system, define the research field, “One Health”.

Next steps

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Source

This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:

DEFRA Research and innovation interests GOVUK

Related UKRI funded projects

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  • Identification of best practices for biodiversity recovery and public health interventions to prevent future epidemics and pandemics - BEPREP

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    The project explores the role of biodiversity in disease risk mitigation and the impact of nature restoration projects, which partially addresses the question about the value of plants and the wider environment to society and the impact of pests and disease.

  • Optimising forest benefits whilst minimising impacts of emerging zoonotic diseases: co-developing an interdisciplinary tool for forests in India

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    While the project focuses on food webs at the landscape level and ecosystem services, it does not directly address the cultural values of plants and the wider environment to society eroded by pests and disease.

  • Evidence for nature based solutions (NBSGap)

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Addressing global grand challenges What are the impacts of climate change, including society’s efforts to mitigate it and adapt to it, on the food system?  Food Standards Agency, 2020
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