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New article – One health and Ecohealth in protected areas in France

This article was published in the journal Environnement, Risques & Santé [1].

Taking samples of parasites from cattle excrements in Camargue © J.E. Roché

This article discusses the important role that protected areas can play in the application of the One Health approach. It examines the various tools available to them to become privileged interfaces for action, directly connected to the sustainable development objectives of the 2030 Agenda, guaranteeing in particular health and well-being for all.

You can access to it on the Tour du Valat web documentary portal [2].

Abstract:

Protected areas (PAs) are intended to preserve the health of humans, animals and ecosystems and to meet the global challenges of biodiversity and climate change. The key role of French PAs as preferential sites for turning the “One health” concept into practice is highlighted.

PAs apply a practical territorial model of socio-ecological systems based on the interdependence between human society and nature and on an exchange of ecosystem and anthropic goods and services. They have a range of tools for maintaining good overall stability. By highlighting operational examples of applying the “One health” concept, the article provides a toolbox divided into four main categories of actions to promote the proper functioning of socio-ecological systems. Sustainability tools are illustrated by the alpine sentinel networks. The stabilization tools set forth the fundamental role of wildlife and some principles of its management. The various governance tools provide contractual frameworks adapted to the various territories. Finally, integrating tools are presented as key elements to network actors and construct nature-based solutions. PAs are thus the most appropriate interfaces for action directly linked to the sustainable development objectives of the 2030 Agenda, guaranteeing, in particular, health and well-being for all.

Bibliographical reference:

Durand T, Fleury O, Heuret M, Mougey T, Schwoehrer C, Vittecoq M [3]. One health and Ecohealth in protected areas in France. Environ Risque Sante 2022 ; 21 : 227-234. doi : 10.1684/ers.2022.1649