Open Access Peer-reviewed Commentary

The role of infectious disease in the loss of biodiversity

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Submitted   Jul 23, 2024
Published   Sep 16, 2024
Issue    Vol 5 No 1 (2024)
DOI   10.25082/HE.2024.01.003

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Merrill Singer corresponding author
Department of Anthropology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA

Abstract

Discussion of the relationship of infectious disease and biodiversity loss most commonly is framed in terms of the impact of diminishing biodiversity on zoonotic diseases among humans. Less examined is the role of infectious disease as a direct driver of biodiversity loss through species declines, local extirpations, and global extinctions. Recent studies, however, suggest that infectious diseases in wildlife populations are emerging at notably high rates. The diversity of emerging infectious diseases, magnified by the likelihood that there will be an increased frequency of outbreaks over time, have raised concern that infectious disease may play a strong role in wildlife species extinctions. The purpose of this Commentary is to draw attention to the growing role infectious pathogens are having in wild animal biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruption, changes which, in turn, rebound on human health and wellbeing.

Keywords
infectious diseases, biodiversity, syndemics

Article Details

How to Cite
Singer, M. (2024). The role of infectious disease in the loss of biodiversity. Health and Environment, 5(1), 256-259. https://doi.org/10.25082/HE.2024.01.003
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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