CORVALLIS, Ore. – The loss of biodiversity in ecosystems ranging from marine coral reefs to terrestrial forests can increase the transmission of infectious diseases in humans, other animals and plants, according to a new scientific analysis just published in the journal Nature.
This connection between two developing crises – emerging novel diseases and unprecedented declines in biodiversity – has long been suspected, but has been difficult to quantify, scientists say.
“In theory, the loss of biodiversity could increase or decrease transmission of disease,” said Anna Jolles, a disease ecology specialist in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University and one of the authors of the study. “Certainly, having naturally high biodiversity should increase the potential pool of sources for new pathogens. But the evidence suggests that in most cases, biodiversity loss actually ramps up transmission of disease. Now we need to find out why.” Find out more.
