“One Health” needs ecology

The Earth is always changing, yet animal, human, and environmental interconnections are each increasing at such force, frequency, and range that the planet faces a primordial, anthropogenic condition it has never experienced. We know what’s happening: more people, biodiversity losses, climate extremes, habitat fragmentation, emerging diseases. And it’s all occurring at a chaotic, unprecedented rate and scale. Many researchers are engaged in the interdisciplinary study of the factors at play and their implications. In recent years, however, the emphasis has been on animal and pathogen factors, and less on the ecology that influences them. In order to have any chance at addressing these complex, intertwined issues, this needs to change. Ecological expertise must be brought to bear.