Restoration Ecology: Applications for Human Health Care

Dianne Watkins, P.O.W.E.R. HaltonOctober 13, 2012

OUTLINE

introduction

overview

summary

acknowledgements

works cited

in-depth: defining ‘pristine’ or healthy

reference condition approach

restoration

monitoring

caveat

Q&A

1992

2010

2010

introduction...UN convention on biological diversity

introduction2011-2012 strategic plan; Aichi targets

CBD, 2010

www.mainstreambiodiversity.c a

introductionmainstreaming biodiversity

introductionmainstreaming message

Miller, 2012

introductionstaying on message: love, not loss

Futerra, 2010

“Ecosystems and human health and well-being are interconnected...” (MEA, 2005)

introductionbiodiversity, human health and well-being

reference condition approach

indicators

coarse- and fine-filter approach

restoration

monitoring

overviewecosystem restoration and human health

assessment

reference condition approachassessment: disturbed vs pristine ecosystems

coarse vs fine-filter approachsystems, or species?

ecological indicatorsecosystem nutrient cycles

ecological indicatorsnutrient deficiency

lettuce: nitrogen sufficiency and deficitcorn: magnesium deficit

corn: zinc deficit and sufficiency

corn: H2 O, Mg, N, K & P deficits, sufficiency

ecological indicatorsinvasive species and nutrient cycling

“The invasive species Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) increases soil nutrient availability... plots invaded by A. Petiolata were consistently and

significantly higher in N, P, Ca and Mg availability, and soil pH...

...The results presented here... suggest that this invasive plant may change soil nutrient availability in such a way as to create a positive feedback

between site occupancy and continued proliferation....” (Rodgers et al, 2008)

restoration & monitoringterrestrial ecosystems

“Invasive species can influence nutrient cycling processes...” (Ehrenfeld, 2003)

ecological indicatorshuman nutrient cycles

ecological indicatorshuman nutrient deficiency

“...vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) is associated with history of an unrelenting search for the cause of the ancient hemorrhagic disease scurvy....” (Iqbal et al, 2004)

... Ascorbic acid deficiency has been shown to be a conditioning factor in the development of gingivitis. When humans are placed on ascorbic acid deficient diets there is increased edema, redness

and swelling of the gingiva...” (Nakamoto et al, 1986)

restoration & monitoringhuman ecosystems

in-depthrestoration for human health care

reference condition approach

indicators

coarse- and fine-filter approach

restoration

monitoring

assessment

health and disease

vitamin C

vitamin Avitamin D

vitamin E

magnesium

SELENIUM

zinc

fatty acids

Cu:Zn

O6:O3

in-depthassessing human ecosystems

health? disease?

in-depththe problem:

what is ‘deficient’?

what is ‘normal’?

what is ‘optimal’?

what is ‘excess’?

in-depthresearch reference (‘normal’) values

values collected from a large, apparently healthy population

in-depthlaboratory reference (‘normal’) values

values collected from a potentially smaller, less healthy population

11.5 18.5

8.6 18.5

10 20

9 14

research range

lab range (deficiency outlier)

lab range (>reference)

lab range (<reference)(infectious disease clinic)

in-depthcomparing reference (‘normal’) values

in-depthin search of ‘healthy’

most people

question: are most ‘apparently healthy’ people actually in ‘optimal’ condition?

A B C D

patients 8 7 2 10

controls

in-depthhealth and disease studies:

patients vs ‘healthy controls’

8 8 8 8

in-depthresearch ‘healthy control’ values

meta-analysis: replicated values collected from multiple healthy populations

headache

fatigue

IRRITABILITY

tics

depression

SPASMS

cramps

Mganxiety

in-depthindicator: magnesium

Cardiovascular 

disease

tetanyinsulin resistance

hypokalemia

dementia

elevated triglycerides

immune system

virusesBACTERIA‘leaky gut’BLOATINGCONCENTRATION

libido

Zn

fertility

in-depth

prostate cancer

liver  cirrhosis

birth defects

allergy

multiple sclerosis

BREAST CANCER

indicator: zinc

Mg 0.70 1.10(mmol/L)

most people sampled

in-depthtarget indicator values

‘normal’ vs healthy

Zn 11.5 18.5(umol/L)

most people sampled

in-depthtarget indicator values

‘normal’ vs healthy

in-depthtarget indicator values

health and disease spectrum

Zn(µmol/L)

11.5 12.6 13.6 36.25.85.6chronic 

liver 

disease

MS healthy controls

zinc toxicityadvanced breast cancer

persistent 

diarrhoea

9.8T1DM

10.5T2DM

18.5

research reference range

17.6

Adapted from  Gusau et al, 1990; Bitarakwate et al, 2003;

Al‐Maroof & Al‐Sharbatti  (2006); 

Palm & Hallmans, 1982; Gupta et al, 1991; ...

D3 20 >100(nmol/L)

50 80rickets

osteoporosisosteomalacia

reduce risk of immune disease

>250hypercalcemia

in-depthtarget indicator values

bone health

health and disease spectrum

in-depthtarget indicator values

five indicators in health and disease

in-depthtarget indicator values

in context of the ‘normal’ range

restorationdiet

whole

diverse

nutrient-dense

rich in omega-3s

anti-inflammatory (overall)

low glycemic index

restorationinteractions

food pairing

manage anti-nutrients(e.g. phytate, gluten, oxalate, lectin)

e.g. improve iron absorption via foods rich in vitamin C...

Heme and non- heme iron sources

Vitamin C-rich peppers, citrus

Boiling off phytate, oxalate

Soaking, boiling or sprouting grain, legumes

manage/avoidexcessive loss

Hydrate, avoid athletic nutrient depletion

Avoid or minimize tobacco, alcohol

restorationsupplements

quality food comes first

choose the most bioavailable forms

high quality multivitamin/mineral

pay close attention to dosage

optimize absorption through timing

guard against toxicity

recommended amounts may be low

monitoringbloodwork

(doctor, naturopath)

request personal copy of results

washout period prior to testing

evaluate/adjust regimen

request lab requisition

assess costs; check coverage

follow-up

keys to successEcosystems People

Understand general processes and 

unique site‐specific circumstances

Document symptoms, timing. 

Assess a sample 3‐day diet diary.

Understand site /public 

/stakeholder context 

Consider family history. Social 

and/or professional support highly 

variable from patient to patient.

Select goals that are: specific, 

achievable, measurable, 

understandable, flexible

Serum values of nutrients are 

widely tested in research. Targets 

are generally easy to achieve, 

measure and understand.

Conduct long‐term monitoring 

and evaluation

Do regular blood work, document 

changes in function/symptoms, 

adapt regimen if/as needed. 

Conduct more in‐depth 

investigations when needed.

summary

in-depth: defining ‘pristine’ or healthy

reference condition approach

restoration

monitoring

“Ecosystem restoration ... is generally far costlier than

protecting the original ecosystem... it is rare that all

of the biodiversity and services of a system can be restored...” (MEA, 2005)

“A stitch in time may save nine...” (Fuller, 1732)

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...”

(Franklin, 1735)

Restoration ecology and mainstream human health care in Canada are typically reactive approaches.

By employing proactive approaches to human and ecosystem health, better outcomes can potentially be achieved for all.

caveat

works cited...Al‐Maroof RA & SS Al‐Sharbatti (2006). Serum zinc levels in diabetic patients and effect of zinc supplementation on 

glycemic control of type 2 diabetics. SAUDI MEDICAL JOURNAL 27(3):344‐350 Retrieved from URL 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16532095

Bitarakwate E, Mworozi E & A Kekitiinwa (2003). Serum zinc status of children with persistent diarrhoea admitted 

to the diarrhoea management unit of Mulago Hospital, Uganda. AFRICAN HEALTH SCIENCES 3(2):54‐60. 

Retrieved from URL http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2141599/

Convention on Biological Diversity. (2010). Strategic plan for biodiversity 2011‐2020 and the Aichi Targets. 

Retrieved from URL http://www.cbd.int/doc/strategic‐plan/2011‐2020/Aichi‐Targets‐EN.pdf

Ehrenfeld, JG (2003). Effects of Exotic Plant Invasions on Soil Nutrient Cycling Processes. ECOSYSTEMS

2003(6):503–

523 http://www.falw.vu.nl/en/images/ehrenfeld_tcm24‐80025.pdf

Futerra Sustainability Communications. (2010). Branding Biodiversity: A New Nature Message. Retrieved from URL 

http://www.futerra.co.uk/downloads/Branding_Biodiversity.pdf

Gupta SK, Shukla VK, Vaidya MP et al (1991). Serum trace elements and Cu/Zn ratio in breast cancer patients. 

JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY 46(3):178‐81. Retrieved from URL 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2011029 

Gusau KA, Elegbede JA, Idoko JA et al (1990). Zinc status is chronic liver disease; studies in Nigerian patients. WEST 

AFRICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE 9(4):245‐51. Retrieved from URL 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2083200

Iqbal K, Khan A & M Khattak(2004) Biological Significance of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) in Human Health – A Review. 

PAKISTAN JOURNAL OF NUTRITION

3(1): 5‐13. Retrieved from URL http://pjbs.org/pjnonline/fin170.pdf

Liebscher, D‐H & Liebscher, D‐E. (2004) About the Misdiagnosis of Magnesium Deficiency. JOURNAL OF THE 

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF NUTRITION

23(6):730S–731S. Retrieved from URL 

http://www.jacn.org/content/23/6/730S.full.pdf

...works citedMillennium Ecosystem Assessment. (2005).  Biodiversity Synthesis

Report. Retrieved from URL 

http://maweb.org/documents/document.354.aspx.pdf

Miller, G. (2012). Biodiversity: A Nation's Commitment, An Obligation for Ontario. Environmental Commissioner of 

Ontario Special Report. Retrieved from URL http://www.eco.on.ca/uploads/Reports‐special/2012‐

Biodiversity/Biodiversity‐A‐Nations‐Commitment‐An‐Obligation‐for‐Ontario.pdf

Nakamoto T, McCroskey M, Mallek HM (1984). The role of ascorbic acid deficiency in human gingivitis‐‐a new 

hypothesis. JOURNAL OF THEORETICAL BIOLOGY 108(2):163‐71. Retrieved from URL http://

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6748685

Palm, R and G Hallmans (1982). Zinc and copper in multiple sclerosis. JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, NEUROSURGERY 

AND PSYCHIATRY

45:691‐698. Retrieved from URL 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1083158/pdf/jnnpsyc00052‐0029.pdf

Rodgers, VL, Wolfe BE, Werden LK et al (2008). The invasive species Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard) increases soil 

nutrient availability in northern hardwood‐conifer forests. OECOLOGIA 157(3):459‐71. Retrieved from URL 

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18612654

acknowledgementsacknowledgementsDr. Stephen Murphy, University of Waterloo

Krista Blackborow, Environment Canada

Leslie Adams, Protect Our Water and Environment Resources (P.O.W.E.R) Halton

Lindsey Jennings, Credit Valley Conservation

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

scholar.google.ca

www.nutritiondata.com

www.whfoods.com

...and many more!

Thank you.

COMMENTS/QUESTIONS?

Dianne Watkins

P.O.W.E.R. HaltonHalton-Peel BioDiversity Network

biodiversity :: _ : powerhalton.ca