strategy
Maintaining healthy ecosystems
Synonyms:
Restoring health of local ecosystems Description:
Maintaining fully functioning natural systems, capable of repair and renewal. Context:
In general, ecosystems have five main kinds of requirements: 1) appropriate physical environmental characteristics (such as climatic conditions or the presence of freshwater); 2) appropriate biotic conditions (the presence of certain food species, for example); 3) a minimum environmental quality (such as the absence of certain pollutants); 4) minimum spatial requirements for each species (to permit migration and to ensure adequate foraging opportunities, for example); and 5) sufficient opportunities for organisms to interact with other organisms of the same species (in order to facilitate reproduction and genetic exchange).Disease and death are parts of the natural life processes and are necessary for maintaining the interplay of elements in nature. Some human-induced impacts may, however, result in damage that cannot be repaired or requires very lengthy recovery periods. Serious threats to a healthy natural environment are (1) intentional or accidental releases of alien organisms; (2) spread of diseases in wild plants and animals; (3) changes in climate (4) pollution.
Narrower:
Remediating ecological damage caused by industrial activityRestoring river ecosystemsProtecting marine ecosystemsResearching environmental indicatorsCreating environmental health standardsAgreeing standard procedures for monitoring transboundary air pollution Facilitated by:
Anticipating environmental crisesDeveloping local environmental health action plansStrengthening community-based land resource protection Values:
HealthNonlocalUnhealthiness Organizations:
Caribbean Animal and Plant Health Information Network Subjects:
Geography → EcologySociety → Local
Amenities → Maintenance
Health Care → Health
Type Classification:
C: Cross-sectoral strategies Related UN Sustainable Development Goals:
