Disease ecology
Disease Ecology
Disease ecology (pronunciation: dih-zeez ee-kol-uh-jee) is a branch of ecology that studies the interaction of pathogens and their hosts in the context of their environment and evolution. The term is derived from the Greek words "disease" (nosos) and "study of dwelling" (oikos logos).
Definition
Disease ecology is the study of how environmental factors influence the spread and impact of diseases. It involves the investigation of how ecosystems, climate change, and biodiversity affect disease transmission and progression.
History
The concept of disease ecology has its roots in the early 20th century, when scientists began to understand the complex interactions between organisms and their environment. The term itself was first used in the 1970s, coinciding with the emergence of ecology as a distinct scientific discipline.
Key Concepts
Disease ecology encompasses several key concepts, including:
- Epidemiology: The study of how diseases spread within populations.
- Vector-borne disease: Diseases that are transmitted through vectors, such as mosquitoes or ticks.
- Zoonotic disease: Diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans.
- Host-pathogen interaction: The relationship between a disease-causing organism (pathogen) and the organism it infects (host).
Related Terms
- Parasitology: The study of parasites and their interactions with their hosts.
- Infectious disease: Diseases caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
- Ecological niche: The role and position a species has in its environment.
- Ecosystem: A community of living organisms in conjunction with the nonliving components of their environment.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Disease ecology
- Wikipedia's article - Disease ecology
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