Microbiome-inspired solutions to save human and planetary health

TL;DR

Microbial diversity is vital for health and ecosystems, but human activities are causing losses, requiring new strategies to restore it for both human and planetary well-being.

Contribution

Highlights the underrepresentation of microbiomes in conservation and public health and proposes microbiome-based solutions for Planetary Health.

Findings

Microbial diversity is essential for ecosystem stability and organism health.

Human activities in the Anthropocene have caused significant microbial diversity loss.

Microbiome-based strategies can help restore diversity and improve Planetary Health.

Abstract

Microbial communities are dynamic networks that regulate nutrient cycling, energy flow, and ecosystem stability, making microbial diversity essential to the health and resilience of all living organisms and ecosystems. However, Anthropocene-driven human activities have led to substantial losses of microbial diversity in environmental and host-associated microbiomes. Despite their critical role, microbiome is underrepresented in conservation and public health strategies, creating a knowledge and intervention gap. Emerging strategies based on microbiome approach offer promising avenues for restoring microbial diversity and enhancing Planetary Health. Achieving these goals requires coordinated global policies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and recognition of microbes as essential partners in sustaining life on Earth.

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