Shrub clearing adversely affects the abundance of Ixodes ricinus ticks.

摘要: In order to get a better understanding of the importance vertical forest structure as component Ixodes ricinus tick habitat, an experiment was set up in coniferous on sandy soils northern Belgium. Ticks were sampled six control and treatment plots various sampling occasions 2008–2010. course study period, moderate thinning carried out all shrub clearing performed plots. Thinning had no effect abundance, while adverse affect abundance three life stages (larva, nymph, adult) 2 years post-clearing. Our findings are especially relevant light ongoing efforts improve Belgium many other parts Europe, which might create suitable habitats for ticks change epidemiology tick-borne diseases. Also, our results indicate that could be applied measure recreational areas where there is high degree human-tick contact.