We are at a key juncture in history where bio diversity loss is occurring daily and accelerating in the face
of population growth,climate change,and rampant development.Simultaneously,we are just beginning
to appreciate the wealth of human health benefits that stem from experiencing nature and biodiversity.
Here we assessed the state of knowledge on relationships between human health and nature and
biodiversity,and prepared a comprehensive listing of reported health effects.We found strong evidence
linking biodiversity with production of ecosystem services and between nature exposure and human
health, but many of these studies were limitedinrig or and often only correlative.Muchless information
is available to link bio diversity and health.However,some robust studies indicate that exposure to
microbial bio diversity can improve health,specifically in reducing certain allergicandrespiratory
diseases. Overall,muchmoreresearchisneededonmechanismsofcausation.Alsoneededareare-
envisioning ofland-useplanningthatplaceshumanwell-beingatthecenterandanewcoalitionof
ecologists, healthandsocialscientistsandplannerstoconductresearchanddeveloppoliciesthat
promotehumaninteractionwithnatureandbiodiversity.Improvementsintheseareasshouldenhance
human healthandecosystem,community,aswellashumanresilience.
Published byElsevierB.V.ThisisanopenaccessarticleundertheCCBY-NC-NDlicense