Dispelling the Controversy Surrounding Biodiversity-infectious Disease Relationships

Abstract
The dilution effect hypothesis proposes that reductions in biodiversity and increases in disease outbreaks are causally linked, such that diverse communities inhibit the abundance of parasites.  However, the generality of the dilution effect hypothesis remains controversial, especially for zoonotic diseases of humans.  In this talk, Rohr will establish the generality of the dilution effect through a meta-analysis, the contexts under which dilution will and will not be detected, mechanisms and traits of species that facilitate dilution, and how this new found understanding of dilution effects is being used to control the neglected tropical disease of humans, schistosomiasis.
 

Event Details

Date/Time:

  • Thursday, March 8, 2018
    10:55 am

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