In the current context of the coronavirus pandemic, it is also important to note that biodiversity loss tends to increase pathogen transmission and disease incidence. Of course, if the lost species are hosts capable of transmission, declining biodiversity would reduce the total number of hosts, decreasing transmission. For pathogens, loss of diversity is most likely to increase transmission if the loss causes an increase in density of competent hosts. First, target potential emergence ‘hotspots’ for surveillance of endemic wildlife pathogens. These ‘hotspots’ could be identified on the basis of land-use change and underlying biodiversity patterns.

Source: The Telegraph April 14, 2020 18:33 UTC