Declining ecosystem health and the dilution effect.

摘要: The “dilution effect” implies that where species vary in susceptibility to infection by a pathogen, higher diversity often leads lower prevalence hosts. For directly transmitted pathogens, non-host may “dilute” (1) and indirectly (2). Competitors predators alter host behavior reduce pathogen transmission or (2) density. In well-studied system, we tested the dilution of zoonotic Puumala hantavirus (PUUV) bank voles (Myodes glareolus) two competitors predator. Our study was based on long-term PUUV data (2003–2013) northern Sweden. field vole (Microtus agrestis) common shrew (Sorex araneus) are Tengmalm’s owl (Aegolius funereus) is main predator voles. Infection probability decreased when density increased, suggesting shrews reduced transmission. Field suppressed meadows clear-cuts diluted infection. Further, decline 1980–2013 have contributed rates 2003–2013 compared 1979–1986. provides further evidence for effect suggests owls an important role reducing disease risk.