Cause, consequence and control of infectious disease in a changing world: Insights from ecology

Recent studies suggest that infectious diseases in human and wildlife populations are increasing in number, incidence, virulence, and spreading to new hosts and geographic regions. This has raised concern, not only among scientists, but among the greater global community. To better understand the implications of infectious diseases for humans and wildlife, a holistic and multi-disciplined approach is required. Here, I present the results of four research projects that provide ecological insight into the cause, consequence and control of infectious diseases in our ever changing world. First, I conducted a critical and synthetic assessment of the best available evidence to better understand the causal role of infectious disease in species extinction and endangerment. Second, I assessed the extent to which the parasites of exotic species spread to native hosts by studying introduced black rats ( Rattus rattus) and endemic deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus ) on the southern California Channel Islands. Third, using the tools of biogeography and a novel database, I examined the impact of host specificity on the globalization of human infectious diseases. Finally, I developed an extensive argument to encourage the use of ecological theory in infectious disease control and public health policy. The breadth of these results should enhance our understanding of the patterns and processes that characterize global infectious disease distribution at the advent of the 21st century and be of interest across disciplines.