Sciencedaily – Study confirms ‘dilution effect hypothesis’ that suggests biodiversity loss in nature poses a public health threat by causing and exacerbating disease outbreaks

Date: June 15, 2015

Source: University of South Florida (USF Health)

Summary:

With infectious diseases increasing worldwide, the need to understand how and why disease outbreaks occur is becoming increasingly important. Looking for answers, a team of biologists found broad evidence that supports the controversial ‘dilution effect hypothesis,’ which suggests that biodiversity limits outbreaks of disease among humans and wildlife.

A team of University of South Florida biologists and colleagues found broad evidence that supports the controversial ‘dilution effect hypothesis,’ which suggests that biodiversity limits outbreaks of disease among humans and wildlife. The research may be critical to understanding how and why disease outbreaks occur.

Credit: Courtesy of the University of South Florida