Biodiversity comes from the term “biological diversity”, which describes the variety of biological specimen, on Earth at all levels (Faherty). All levels refer to genes, ecosystems and includes the ecological, evolutionary, and cultural processes as well. Many things can cause the loss of biological diversity. These can include natural disasters, new predators and most frequently, a zoonosis (Zoonotic Disease, 2021).
Zoonosis, also known as zoonotic disease, are caused by zoonotic viruses (Minnesota Dept. of Health, 2019). These viruses cause harmful germs to infiltrate between animals and humans. The illness that follows this virus spreading can cause a range of effects in both species. The spread of these kinds of viruses are particularly scary because the virus can occur in animals that show no symptoms (Faherty). Being unable to detect the virus can increase the spread of the disease exponentially.
The origin of the Nipah virus (a neurologic and respiratory disease) is a great example of how the loss of forest habitats can cause the increase in spread of zoonosis. In 1997, an area that was roughly the size of Pennsylvania, was paved down in Indonesia, causing the displacement of fruit bat resources (Zimmer, 2021). This caused the fruit bats population within that area to fly towards other areas in search of food, carrying with them a deadly virus. They eventually settled down in Malaysian orchards and within a couple years, the pigs within the farms around that area began to get sick (What is Nipah Virus, 2020). What was discovered was that the bats that carried the virus, ate fruit that was dropped in that surrounding area. The pigs within those farms would roam the area, eating those pieces of fruit, causing them to get sick. By 1999, those that had worked in the pig farms and slaughterhouses were starting to exhibit symptoms of the Nipah virus (Kurup, 2002).
Where is the connection in all these terms and definitions? The loss of biodiversity increases the ability of the zoonotic disease affecting organisms within that environment. Just like with the fruit bats – the loss of their habitat, increased their chance of spreading the disease, therefore increasing the ability of the zoonotic virus to spread (to humans and other animals). What are some ways of preventing this from occurring? How about humans just stop messing with things that have nothing to do with them? The need to clear an area for agriculture, the size of Pennsylvania was fueled by greed and monetary gains. Maybe money is in fact, the root of all evil!
- Faherty, Jackie. “What Is Biodiversity? Why Is It Important?: AMNH.” Our Research – What Is Biodiversity?, American Museum of Natural History, https://www.amnh.org/research/center-for-biodiversity-conservation/what-is-biodiversity.
- “Zoonotic Diseases.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 1 July 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/basics/zoonotic-diseases.html.
- “Zoonotic Diseases: Disease Transmitted from Animals to Humans – Minnesota Dept. of Health.” Zoonotic Diseases:Disease Transmitted from Animals to Humans (Zoonosis) – Minnesota Dept. of Health, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Division, 5 Nov. 2019, https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/animal/zoo/index.html.
- Zimmer, Katarina. “Deforestation Is Leading to More Infectious Diseases in Humans.” National Geographic Science, National Geographic, 4 May 2021, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/deforestation-leading-to-more-infectious-diseases-in-humans.
- “What Is Nipah Virus?” What Is Nipah Virus? Nipah Virus (NIV), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6 Oct. 2020, https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/nipah/about/index.html.
- Kurup, Asok MBBS FROM BATS TO PIGS TO MAN: THE STORY OF NIPAH VIRUS, Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice: February 2002 – Volume 11 – Issue 2 – p 52-57.
Applied Plant Ecology Winter 2020 