wfc 12

Midterms scheduled for Wednesday.
Paper copies of midterms available if requested by today.
Students can email to request a paper copy.
Encourage students to address any questions they might have regarding the midterm format or content.

Consists of:
Approximately 22-23 multiple choice questions.
Three short answer questions.
One question asking for two favorite facts.
No Scantron necessary; exam will be provided in digital and physical formats as required.
Reminders about permitted devices during the exam: up to two devices allowed, charging devices are also permitted. Texting or calling during exam time is prohibited, and supervision will be present to ensure integrity.

New module not included in the midterm.
Introduction to the topic of ecosystem services and its relation to biodiversity and disease management.
Discussion of global environmental changes, including factors like climate change and land-use change, affecting disease risk.

Malaria, caused by Plasmodium falciparum, transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes.
Deforestation contributes to increased mosquito breeding habitats, escalating malaria transmission.
Infamous conflicting studies exist regarding the effect of deforestation on malaria rates.
Recent study (Andrew McDonald, 2019) highlights a bidirectional relationship between deforestation and malaria outbreaks:
Increased deforestation leads to increased malaria cases.
Significant malaria outbreaks hinder deforestation efforts as affected populations relocate.
The increase in mosquito population is correlated with temperatures rising due to climate change.

Increased exposure to wildlife through practices like bushmeat hunting increases disease transmission (example: emergence of HIV).
Human activity, such as agricultural expansion, influences the evolutionary trajectory of pathogens.
Increased host density fosters pathogen evolution, heightening human disease risk (example: Nipah virus).

Prominent example provided by Felicia Keesing focusing on Lyme disease:
Hosts (mice versus opossums) significantly affect the transmission dynamics of Lyme disease.
Opossums serve a crucial role in reducing Lyme disease transmission by grooming ticks.

High biodiversity can lead to lower disease transmission via mechanisms such as transmission interference and host regulation.
Increased community diversity typically lowers the likelihood that vectors will target highly susceptible hosts.
Transmission Interference: Refers to how a more diverse host community dilutes disease spread by reducing encounters with effective disease amplifiers.
Susceptible Host Regulation: May arise in low biodiversity environments where resistant host types are outcompeted.

Dilution effect is critical in understanding how biodiversity can mitigate disease spread.
Effective conservation measures must consider vectors' feeding behavior, host diversity, and overall ecosystem health.

Scenarios where high biodiversity could support a rise in diseases:
Diversity of hosts leading to numerous vectors, exacerbating disease spread.
Higher biodiversity yields diverse parasites, with intense interaction heightening disease emergence risks.
Example of Leishmaniasis emphasizes that increased host diversity can result in greater disease risks.

Ongoing discussions around biodiversity's relationship to disease emphasize the complexities involved, with diverse opinions on managing ecological health relative to human health risks.
Importance of understanding these interactions as it informs both health policy and conservation efforts.