Nature as an ecological theater: Multiscale interactions among vegetation function, hydrological processes and human health
Abstract
Nature functions as an ecological theater where complex interactions among vegetation, hydrological cycles and human societies shape ecosystem resilience and human well-being. Vegetation influences carbon and water fluxes, microclimates and soil stability, while hydrological processes mediate nutrient cycling, water availability and flood regulation. These ecological dynamics directly and indirectly impact human health by modulating exposure to clean water, air quality, heat stress and vector-borne disease risk. This article synthesizes evidence across multiple spatial and temporal scales, exploring how vegetation function and hydrological processes interact to regulate ecosystem services and human health outcomes. We examine natural, restored and urban landscapes, highlighting the role of ecosystem management, biodiversity and landscape connectivity in sustaining ecosystem services and health benefits. Understanding these multiscale interactions is essential for designing nature-based solutions that integrate ecological and societal objectives under global environmental change.