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Review
. 2021 Jul;36(7):623-636.
doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2021.03.006. Epub 2021 Apr 14.

Pathways for Novel Epidemiology: Plant-Pollinator-Pathogen Networks and Global Change

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Free article
Review

Pathways for Novel Epidemiology: Plant-Pollinator-Pathogen Networks and Global Change

Willem Proesmans et al. Trends Ecol Evol. 2021 Jul.
Free article

Abstract

Multiple global change pressures, and their interplay, cause plant-pollinator extinctions and modify species assemblages and interactions. This may alter the risks of pathogen host shifts, intra- or interspecific pathogen spread, and emergence of novel population or community epidemics. Flowers are hubs for pathogen transmission. Consequently, the structure of plant-pollinator interaction networks may be pivotal in pathogen host shifts and modulating disease dynamics. Traits of plants, pollinators, and pathogens may also govern the interspecific spread of pathogens. Pathogen spillover-spillback between managed and wild pollinators risks driving the evolution of virulence and community epidemics. Understanding this interplay between host-pathogen dynamics and global change will be crucial to predicting impacts on pollinators and pollination underpinning ecosystems and human wellbeing.

Keywords: climate change; emerging infectious disease; interspecific interactions; invasive alien species; land use; traits.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Interests No interests are declared.

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