How do environmental factors influence pathogen evolution?
Environmental factors, including climate change, urbanization, and human behavior, play a significant role in pathogen evolution. Changes in climate can alter the habitats of vectors like mosquitoes, leading to the spread of vector-borne diseases. Urbanization increases population density, facilitating the transmission of infectious diseases. Human activities, such as international travel and trade, can introduce pathogens to new regions, creating opportunities for genetic exchange and evolution.
