Infectious Disease Ecology of Wild Birds

Birds are the most diverse group of land vertebrates and serve as a natural reservoir for an array of different pathogens that pose serious health risks to human and domestic animal populations. This textbook focuses on the dynamics of infectious diseases for wild avian hosts across every level of ecological hierarchy, from the way pathogens interact with the physiology and behavior of individual hosts to the complex biotic and abiotic interactions occurring within biological communities and ecosystems.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Birds, the most diverse group of land vertebrates, have undergone remarkable evolution to occupy nearly every terrestrial niche on Earth. In addition to their ecological significance, birds also serve as a natural reservoir for a diverse range of pathogens that pose significant health risks to both human and domestic animal populations. These pathogens include the highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, West Nile virus, Newcastle Disease virus, and numerous enteric pathogens. Avian diseases hold immense importance in the conservation of endemic bird species across various regions worldwide. This textbook, designed for accessibility, delves into the intricate dynamics of infectious diseases in wild avian hosts across diverse ecological hierarchies. It explores the interplay between pathogens and the physiology, behavior, and evolutionary dynamics of host-parasite interactions within populations. It also examines the complex biotic and abiotic interactions that occur within biological communities and ecosystems.

Parasite-bird interactions are becoming increasingly prevalent in rapidly changing global environments, leading to changes in their ecology. These interactions shape the intricate ways in which parasites influence the interconnected health of birds, humans, and shared ecosystems. Given the critical role of birds in ecological communities and as the primary hosts to numerous zoonotic pathogens, understanding the ecological and evolutionary principles underlying the maintenance, amplification, transmission, and dispersal of these infectious agents is essential for mitigating the negative global impacts of emerging infectious diseases.

While the topics and principles discussed in this book primarily revolve around birds, their relevance extends far beyond avian species. They can be applied to non-avian wildlife hosts as well, highlighting the broader scope of host-path interactions in the natural world. By studying these dynamics, researchers and policymakers can gain valuable insights into the conservation and management of infectious diseases in both avian and non-avian populations, ensuring the well-being of ecosystems and the safety of human and animal populations.

Weight: 618g
Dimension: 190 x 247 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198746256