Adaptive Ecosystem Restoration Urged to Minimize Zoonotic Disease Risk

Researchers at the University of Helsinki are stressing the importance of implementing adaptive ecosystem restoration to minimize the risk of zoonotic diseases associated with restoration projects. The study, part of the Horizon Europe Project BEPREP, focuses on providing practical guidance for stakeholders in ecosystem restoration projects. The team is concerned that the degradation and disturbances of ecosystems can increase the risk of zoonotic diseases, and therefore, a conceptual framework and practical guidance are needed to mitigate this risk.

Key Takeaways:

• The study emphasizes the need for a One Health-based adaptive process that includes key considerations for ecosystem restoration assessment, such as environmental, animal, and human health targets.
• Climate change can modify the cause-and-effect relationship of restorations and must be considered in restoration projects.
• Environmental contaminants can bias the restoration outcome, and therefore, must be addressed in restoration projects.
• Trophic rewilding, which involves reintroducing ecologically significant species, including predators, may provide a more immediate approach to restore ecosystem function and reduce disease risk.
• The Horizon Europe Project BEPREP is a significant initiative that aims to identify best practices for biodiversity recovery and public health interventions to prevent future epidemics and pandemics.
• The increase in biodiversity and ecosystem services can be maximized while minimizing the risk of zoonotic diseases through a well-planned adaptive ecosystem restoration process.

Statistics:

• The study highlights the need to consider three core targets for ecosystem restoration: environment (diversity, climate, land use), animals (species community structure, pathogen and disease prevalence, vectors and reservoir abundance), and humans (cases of disease, exposure).
• The research team emphasizes the importance of considering climate change in restoration projects, as it can modify the cause-and-effect relationship of restorations.
• Trophic rewilding may provide a more immediate approach to restore ecosystem function and reduce disease risk, but the effectiveness of this approach remains to be seen through further research.

Sources:

• University of Helsinki
• Horizon Europe Project BEPREP (Identification of best practices for biodiversity recovery and public health interventions to prevent future epidemics and pandemics)
• Frauke Ecke, University of Helsinki, Professor
• Joacim Rocklov, Heidelberg University, Professor
• NewsRx LLC, 2025.