Plague and Climate: Scales Matter
Author Information
Author(s): Ben Ari Tamara, Neerinckx Simon, Gage Kenneth L., Kreppel Katharina, Laudisoit Anne, Leirs Herwig, Stenseth Nils Chr.
Primary Institution: Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Hypothesis
How do climate variables affect the dynamics of plague hosts and vectors across different scales?
Conclusion
Climate impacts all components of the plague cycle in various ways and over a wide range of scales.
Supporting Evidence
- Climate influences the dynamics of flea vectors and rodent hosts.
- Plague incidence varies with climate factors like temperature and precipitation.
- Understanding climate's role can help in public health and wildlife conservation efforts.
Takeaway
Plague is influenced by climate, which affects the animals and fleas that spread it, and understanding this can help manage outbreaks.
Methodology
The study reviews existing literature on the effects of climate on plague dynamics at various scales.
Limitations
The complexity of the plague cycle and the interactions among its components make it difficult to draw simple conclusions.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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