The LiveAlpsNature project is built on a simple but powerful idea: human health, ecosystem health and animal health are deeply interconnected. This principle, known as the One Health Approach, forms the conceptual backbone of our work across Alpine Protected Areas.
Throughout the Alpine region, protected areas primarily serve the conservation of biodiversity and the protection of fragile ecosystems. At the same time, they are embedded in regional tourism systems and attract visitors seeking recreation and nature experiences.
Scientific evidence shows that biodiverse environments can reduce stress, improve mood and attention, strengthen immune regulation through contact with environmental microbes, and enhance the benefits of physical activity. Structural richness, natural soundscapes and species diversity are therefore not only ecological indicators – they are also health-relevant qualities. Protecting biodiversity means safeguarding these essential ecosystem functions.
Within LiveAlpsNature, this understanding is translated into concrete pilot activities in protected areas. Natural trails are analysed in terms of their potential to support different dimensions of health such as mental well-being, immune support, physical activation and social interaction, always in alignment with conservation priorities. Guided activities such as health hikes combine environmental knowledge with experiential learning, making the link between biodiversity and health tangible while encouraging responsible visitor behaviour within tourism contexts.
By embedding the One Health Approach into management and tourism strategies, LiveAlpsNature contributes to a future in which protected areas are recognised first and foremost as spaces of conservation and, precisely because of that, as spaces of regeneration for human health as well.