The climate change–infectious disease nexus: is it time for climate change syndemics?

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Heffernan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Biotic Factors ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Distinct Variable ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors

AbstractConceptualizing climate as a distinct variable limits our understanding of the synergies and interactions between climate change and the range of abiotic and biotic factors, which influence animal health. Frameworks such as eco-epidemiology and the epi-systems approach, while more holistic, view climate and climate change as one of many discreet drivers of disease. Here, I argue for a new paradigmatic framework: climate-change syndemics. Climate-change syndemics begins from the assumption that climate change is one of many potential influences on infectious disease processes, but crucially is unlikely to act independently or in isolation; and as such, it is the inter-relationship between factors that take primacy in explorations of infectious disease and climate change. Equally importantly, as climate change will impact a wide range of diseases, the frame of analysis is at the collective rather than individual level (for both human and animal infectious disease) across populations.

scholarly journals Climate forcing of an emerging pathogenic fungus across a montane multi-host community

2016 ◽  
Vol 371 (1709) ◽  
pp. 20150454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances C. Clare ◽  
Julia B. Halder ◽  
Olivia Daniel ◽  
Jon Bielby ◽  
Mikhail A. Semenov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Climate Models ◽  
Pathogenic Fungus ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Global Climate Models ◽  
Host Community ◽  
Temporal Association ◽  
Health Food ◽  
Midwife Toad

Changes in the timings of seasonality as a result of anthropogenic climate change are predicted to occur over the coming decades. While this is expected to have widespread impacts on the dynamics of infectious disease through environmental forcing, empirical data are lacking. Here, we investigated whether seasonality, specifically the timing of spring ice-thaw, affected susceptibility to infection by the emerging pathogenic fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis ( Bd ) across a montane community of amphibians that are suffering declines and extirpations as a consequence of this infection. We found a robust temporal association between the timing of the spring thaw and Bd infection in two host species, where we show that an early onset of spring forced high prevalences of infection. A third highly susceptible species (the midwife toad, Alytes obstetricans ) maintained a high prevalence of infection independent of time of spring thaw. Our data show that perennially overwintering midwife toad larvae may act as a year-round reservoir of infection with variation in time of spring thaw determining the extent to which infection spills over into sympatric species. We used future temperature projections based on global climate models to demonstrate that the timing of spring thaw in this region will advance markedly by the 2050s, indicating that climate change will further force the severity of infection. Our findings on the effect of annual variability on multi-host infection dynamics show that the community-level impact of fungal infectious disease on biodiversity will need to be re-evaluated in the face of climate change. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Tackling emerging fungal threats to animal health, food security and ecosystem resilience’.

scholarly journals Mature Andean forests as globally important carbon sinks and future carbon refuges

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Duque ◽  
Miguel A. Peña ◽  
Francisco Cuesta ◽  
Sebastián González-Caro ◽  
Peter Kennedy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Carbon Dynamics ◽  
Carbon Stocks ◽  
Biotic Factors ◽  
Tropical Andes ◽  
Size Dependent ◽  
The Past ◽  
Aboveground Carbon ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors ◽  
Global Carbon

AbstractIt is largely unknown how South America’s Andean forests affect the global carbon cycle, and thus regulate climate change. Here, we measure aboveground carbon dynamics over the past two decades in 119 monitoring plots spanning a range of >3000 m elevation across the subtropical and tropical Andes. Our results show that Andean forests act as strong sinks for aboveground carbon (0.67 ± 0.08 Mg C ha−1 y−1) and have a high potential to serve as future carbon refuges. Aboveground carbon dynamics of Andean forests are driven by abiotic and biotic factors, such as climate and size-dependent mortality of trees. The increasing aboveground carbon stocks offset the estimated C emissions due to deforestation between 2003 and 2014, resulting in a net total uptake of 0.027 Pg C y−1. Reducing deforestation will increase Andean aboveground carbon stocks, facilitate upward species migrations, and allow for recovery of biomass losses due to climate change.

scholarly journals Learning from COVID-19: Infectious Disease Vulnerability Promotes Pro-Environmental Behaviors

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8687
Author(s):  
Da Jiang ◽  
Mingxuan Li ◽  
Hanyang Wu ◽  
Shuang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Environmental Behaviors ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Societal Level ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Relationship

Environmental problems, such as climate change, pollution, and environmental degradation, are important contributors to the spread of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 and SARS. For instance, a greater concentration of ambient NO2 was associated with faster transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19. However, it remains unclear whether outbreaks of infectious diseases arouse individuals’ concern on the need to protect the environment and therefore promote more pro-environmental behaviors. To this end, we examined the relationship between infectious disease vulnerability and pro-environmental behaviors using data from a cross-societal survey (N = 53 societies) and an experiment (N = 214 individuals). At both the societal and the individual levels, infectious disease vulnerability increased pro-environmental behaviors. At the societal level, this relationship was mediated by citizens’ level of environmental concern. At the individual level, the relationship was mediated by empathy. The findings show that infectious disease vulnerability is conducive to pro-environmental behaviors.

Berries: a review of flavonoids.

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (032) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Antonio Ayub
Keyword(s):  
Current Literature ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Genetic Regulation ◽  
Phenylpropanoid Pathway ◽  
Flavonoid Biosynthesis ◽  
Biotic Factors ◽  
Anthocyanin Accumulation ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors

Abstract Flavonoids occur naturally and are derived from the phenylpropanoid pathway. There is growing evidence of the preventive and protective roles of anthocyanins against a wide range of pathologies, including different types of cancer and metabolic diseases. However, most red fruits available to consumers typically contain only small amounts of anthocyanins, mainly limited to the epidermis of plant organs. Therefore, we reviewed the current literature on the biosynthesis of anthocyanins in berries, including the structural and regulatory genes involved in the differential pigmentation patterns of plant structures, as well as management and cultural treatments. Also, the genetic regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis in different red fruits is explored to observe and create strategies to increase biosynthesis and anthocyanin accumulation. It is concluded that the regulation, transport and accumulation of flavonoids varies markedly between species, and is influenced by abiotic and biotic factors.

An Eco-systems Approach to Climate Impacts on Farmer Wellbeing in Konya Closed Basin

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 394-408
Author(s):  
Jennifer Martin ◽  
Fatih Bozdemir ◽  
Ahaduzzaman Sheikh
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Systems Approach ◽  
Ecological Factors ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Climate Impacts ◽  
Farming Practices ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
The Impact

The aim of this study was to examine the impacts of climate change on the wellbeing of farmers in Konya, Turkey. An ecosystems approach was adopted to take a holistic view of the range of inter-related ecological factors. A focus was on psychological and social impacts with a comparison of impacts on farmers engaged in traditional agriculture and those who had adopted conservation agriculture farming practices. Individual interviews and focus groups were conducted with farmers and agricultural workers to gain an increased understanding of the impact of climate change on their wellbeing. The study found that all farmers were under considerable psychological stress and that the introduction of new farming practices such as conservation agriculture led to increased stress in the early stages of adoption. Implications for the psychological and social support of farmers, particularly in the early stages of adoption of new farming practices are highlighted.

Modelling livestock infectious disease control policy under differing social perspectives on vaccination behaviour.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward M. Hill ◽  
Naomi S. Prosser ◽  
Eamonn Ferguson ◽  
Jasmeet Kaler ◽  
Martin J. Green ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Disease Control ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Social Perspectives ◽  
Behavioural Characteristics

Abstract Background: The spread of infection amongst livestock depends not only on the traits of the pathogen and the livestock themselves, but also on the behavioural characteristics of farmers and how that impacts the implementation of livestock disease control measures. Livestock owners may change their disease management behaviours in response to complex factors such as increased awareness of disease risks, pressure to conform with social expectations and the direct imposition of animal health regulations. Controls that are costly may make it beneficial for individuals to rely on the protection offered by others, though that may be sub-optimal for the population. Thus, failing to account for behavioural dynamics may produce a substantial layer of bias in infectious disease models. Methods: We investigated the role of vaccine behaviour across a population of farmers on epidemic outbreaks amongst livestock, caused by pathogens with differential speed of spread over spatial landscapes of farms for two counties in England (Cumbria and Devon). Under different compositions of three vaccine behaviour groups (precautionary, reactionary, non-vaccination), we evaluated from population- and individual-level perspectives the optimum threshold distance to premises with notified infection that would trigger responsive vaccination by the reactionary vaccination group. Results: On our data-informed livestock systems, we demonstrate a divergence between population and individual perspectives in the optimal scale of reactive voluntary vaccination response. In general, minimising the population-level cost requires a broader reactive uptake of the intervention, with individualistic behaviours increasing the likelihood of larger scale disease outbreaks. When the relative cost of vaccination was low and the majority of premises had undergone precautionary vaccination, then an individual perspective gave a broader spatial extent of reactive response compared to the population perspective. Conclusions: Mathematical models integrating epidemiological and socio-behavioural properties, and the feedback between them, can identify instances of strong disagreement between the intervention stringency that is best for a sole individual compared to the overall population. These modelling insights can aid our understanding of how stakeholders may react to veterinary health interventions.

scholarly journals Herbivory and warming interact in opposing patterns of covariation between arctic shrub species at large and local scales

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (6) ◽  
pp. e2015158118
Author(s):  
Eric Post ◽  
Sean M. P. Cahoon ◽  
Jeffrey T. Kerby ◽  
Christian Pedersen ◽  
Patrick F. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Recent Theory ◽  
Ecological Communities ◽  
Biotic Factors ◽  
Shrub Species ◽  
Exclusion Experiment ◽  
Herbivore Exclusion ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors

A major challenge in predicting species’ distributional responses to climate change involves resolving interactions between abiotic and biotic factors in structuring ecological communities. This challenge reflects the classical conceptualization of species’ regional distributions as simultaneously constrained by climatic conditions, while by necessity emerging from local biotic interactions. A ubiquitous pattern in nature illustrates this dichotomy: potentially competing species covary positively at large scales but negatively at local scales. Recent theory poses a resolution to this conundrum by predicting roles of both abiotic and biotic factors in covariation of species at both scales, but empirical tests have lagged such developments. We conducted a 15-y warming and herbivore-exclusion experiment to investigate drivers of opposing patterns of covariation between two codominant arctic shrub species at large and local scales. Climatic conditions and biotic exploitation mediated both positive covariation between these species at the landscape scale and negative covariation between them locally. Furthermore, covariation between the two species conferred resilience in ecosystem carbon uptake. This study thus lends empirical support to developing theoretical solutions to a long-standing ecological puzzle, while highlighting its relevance to understanding community compositional responses to climate change.

Effects of abiotic and biotic factors on Vibrio harveyi ATCC 14126T survival dynamics in seawater microcosms

2019 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Orruño ◽  
C Parada ◽  
E Ogayar ◽  
VR Kaberdin ◽  
I Arana
Keyword(s):  
Vibrio Harveyi ◽  
Biotic Factors ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Factors

A MODELING SYSTEM FOR CLIMATE CHANGE RISK ASSESSMENT, MANAGEMENT AND HEDGING IN COASTAL AREAS

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergei Soldatenko ◽  
Sergei Soldatenko ◽  
Genrikh Alekseev ◽  
Genrikh Alekseev ◽  
Alexander Danilov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Coastal Areas ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
System Structure ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Risk Modeling ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Adverse Weather ◽  
The Impact

Every aspect of human operations faces a wide range of risks, some of which can cause serious consequences. By the start of 21st century, mankind has recognized a new class of risks posed by climate change. It is obvious, that the global climate is changing, and will continue to change, in ways that affect the planning and day to day operations of businesses, government agencies and other organizations and institutions. The manifestations of climate change include but not limited to rising sea levels, increasing temperature, flooding, melting polar sea ice, adverse weather events (e.g. heatwaves, drought, and storms) and a rise in related problems (e.g. health and environmental). Assessing and managing climate risks represent one of the most challenging issues of today and for the future. The purpose of the risk modeling system discussed in this paper is to provide a framework and methodology to quantify risks caused by climate change, to facilitate estimates of the impact of climate change on various spheres of human activities and to compare eventual adaptation and risk mitigation strategies. The system integrates both physical climate system and economic models together with knowledge-based subsystem, which can help support proactive risk management. System structure and its main components are considered. Special attention is paid to climate risk assessment, management and hedging in the Arctic coastal areas.

Business Aviation in Russia: Specific Features and Prospects of Development

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-93
Author(s):  
D. V. Slivinsky ◽  
I. A. Fomina ◽  
D. G. Menshikh
Keyword(s):  
Systems Approach ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Civil Aviation ◽  
Economic Growth Rate ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Organization And Management ◽  
Transport Services ◽  
Business Aviation ◽  
Wide Range

The presented study determines the role of business aviation in the modern economy and examines the specific features of its development in Russia.Aim. The study aims to analyze the development of business aviation in Russia and its correlation with economic development in general.Tasks. The authors determine the benefits of business aviation as a business tool, examine the specific features of the Russian business aviation market and problems of its development, and identify factors that affect the development of business aviation in Russia.Methods. This study uses the methods of comparative and retrospective analysis, cross-country comparison, systems approach, and expert analytics.Results. Business aviation is a new segment of civil aviation for Russia. Therefore, it is advisable to rely on foreign practices in the management of its development. In many countries, business aviation is a separate industry that specializes in providing transport services to a wide range of corporate clients and/or individuals. The development of this industry is associated with the economic growth rate and the development level of the national economy, and also depends on the national institutional specifics. This study describes the specific features of development of business aviation in Russia and problems arising in the organization and management of this type of business.Conclusions. The authors develop a system of factors affecting the development of business aviation in Russia, describe the major problems of this industry, and propose solutions. The results of this study can be used in the development (adjustment) of business aviation development strategies in Russia both at the industrial and corporate level, and in the implementation of the national policy in this field.

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