Assessment of the Native Flora of Arturo Seguí (Buenos Aires) for the Prevention of Zoonotic Diseases

Abstract

Human, animal, and environmental health are interdependent, a paradigm acknowledged by international health organizations as One Health. A healthy environment reduces the likelihood of disease transmission, directly improving the quality of life, especially in vulnerable communities. Native species, adapted to the specific resources of their ecosystems, act as indicators of environmental health when their recognition and sustainability are promoted. This paper presents a case study from a university extension project led by the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences at the National University of La Plata. The initiative implemented an interdisciplinary and inter-institutional approach to prevent zoonotic diseases by promoting awareness and care of the environment in the Arturo Seguí area. The methodology involved a prior exchange of knowledge through community-based activities, enabling a multidimensional understanding of the surrounding ecosystem near the “Centro Comunal Casa Común Arturo Seguí”. A central challenge was to create new feedback spaces among participants. This experience encouraged collaborative reflection on the role of biodiversity in daily life and its impact on well-being, with particular emphasis on native flora as an environmental health indicator.