The term ecosystem refers to the combined physical and biological components of an environment. These organisms form complex sets of relationships and function as a unit as they interact with their physical environment.
Human interventions are altering the capacity of ecosystems to provide their goods (e.g. freshwater, food, pharmaceutical products, etc.) and services (e.g. purification of air, water, soil, sequestration of pollutants, etc.).
Ecosystem disruption can impact on health in a variety of ways and through complex pathways. The types of health effects experienced are determined by the degree to which local population’s dependency on ecosystem services, and factors such as poverty which affect vulnerability to changes in elements like access to food and water.
(Source: WHO)
Available at: https://www.who.int/globalchange/ecosystems/en/