How Do Ecological Networks Influence Disease Transmission?
Ecological networks influence disease transmission in multiple ways. For example, the density and diversity of host populations can affect the basic reproduction number (R0) of a pathogen. Similarly, the presence of multiple species that can host a pathogen can create a reservoir effect, making it harder to eradicate the disease. Additionally, changes in the environment, such as climate change or habitat destruction, can alter these networks and create new opportunities for disease spread.
