Rewilding and reforestation-based solution for reducing zoonotic risk using a One Health approach – rewild4Health

Rewilding following reforestation could reduce zoonotic risk. The project takes place in northern Thailand characterized by a community reforestation policy. The two main objectives of rewild4Health are: (1) assess the contribution of community reforestation to biodiversity through rewilding; (2) demonstrate that reforestation and rewilding are effective solutions to reduce the risk of transmission of zoonotic diseases in a One Health approach. The main research hypotheses are: (1) the effectiveness of community reforestation on biodiversity depends on the structure of community forests as well as community governance rules; (2) rewilding contributes to the regulation of disease transmission with predators and specialist species capable of regulating synanthropic reservoir species; (3) cross-sector collaboration (public health, animal health, conservation) and community engagement are key factors for ecological restoration and disease risk reduction through a One Health approach.