Natural immunity

Abstract

The global decline in biodiversity and the rise of inflammatory diseases might be linked. If the former is causing the latter, it presents a serious challenge for public health.

Biodiversity, microbes and human well-being

“…The critical shortage could be due to the abundance and composition of microbes at home, but could it also be due to the contact with microbes in the surrounding environment outdoors? We started to talk about the biodiversity hypothesis (von Hertzen et al 2011). …”

“…However, the interactions among environmental microbiota, the native microbiota in our bodies and our health are less well known. To draw attention to these interactions, and their significance for both human well-being and biodiversity conservation, I have proposed, with my colleagues, 'the biodiversity hypo thesis ' (von Hertzen et al 2011, Hanski et al 2012. Below, I narrate how the biodiversity hypothesis emerged from interactions between ecologists, molecular biologists, allergy specialists and immunologists -a refreshing experience of truly bottom-up interdisciplinary research for all involved.…”

Mapping the distributive environmental justice of urban waters

“…Even though the notion reflects the opportunities for the elderly people to benefit from the cultural ecosystem services provided by the blue areas next to their homes, simultaneously the findings raise a challenge related to the living environment of children and adolescents, whose homes are remarkably less located in the vicinity of urban blue. However, these both groups, young and old, benefit from affordances and amenities in their closest neighborhood, especially for their holistic (psycho-somatic and social) health and well-being (Kaplan 1995;Antonovsky 1996;Depledge & Bird 2009;Haubenhofer et al 2010;Korpela et al 2010;White et al 2010White et al , 2013von Hertzen et al 2011;Fleming et al 2014). This discrepancy between various age groups in living conditions illustrates more generally the need to pay attention to those population groups that mostly benefit and/or are especially challenging and vulnerable in terms of the accessibility and use of urban nature, and to develop methods to integrate their perceptions, need and practices into land use planning and governance.…”

“…The equal distribution of urban green and blue areas is relevant because of the recreational, esthetic and health benefits that frequent use of these areas brings to people (e.g. von Hertzen et al 2011). There are however increasing challenges related to the just distribution of green and blue space in urban areas; Ernston (2013, 8) even argues: "if urban nature comes with benefits, there is almost certainly an uneven social production of such ecosystem services".…”

On Effective Biodiversity Conservation, Sustainability of Bioeconomy, and Honesty of the Finnish Forest Policy

“…What this substantial fraction exactly means is a question to which science has no answer and perhaps will never have. However, if we consider all the things species and ecosystems produce to support our everyday life, the list is long: nearly all food, medicines, as well as materials for clothing, manufacturing and construction, never mind the indispensable ecosystem functions, such as the biogeochemical processes without which waste would accumulate and productivity of ecosystems decline, or the recent 'biodiversity hypothesis' according to which the biodiversity in our living environment might protect us against many chronic diseases related to inflammation such as asthma and allergies, autoimmune diseases, many cancers and even obesity and depression (EASAC 2005, MEA 2005, von Hertzen et al 2011, Hanski 2014a, 2016a, 2016d, Ruokolainen et al 2015 Ilkka Hanski was an exceptional natural scientist not only because of his science but also because he was very active in writing for the general public in Finnish. For me personally Ilkka was, and still is, a source of inspiration and this article is founded on two separate but still related pillars inspired by the work of Ilkka.…”