Quantifying the dilution effect for models in ecological epidemiology

• Published in: Journal of the Royal Society interface Vol. 15; no. 140; p. 20170791
• Main Authors: Roberts, M. G., Heesterbeek, J. A. P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England The Royal Society 01.03.2018; The Royal Society Publishing
• Subjects: Amplification; Biodiversity; Compartmental Models; Dilution; Dilution Effect; Ecological effects; Ecological Epidemiology; Ecological monitoring; Epidemiology; Health risks; Infection Risk; Infectious Disease Dynamics; Infectious diseases; Life Sciences–Mathematics interface; Reproduction (biology); Species; infection risk; infectious disease dynamics; biodiversity; compartmental models; ecological epidemiology; dilution effect

The dilution effect, where an increase in biodiversity results in a reduction in the prevalence of an infectious disease, has been the subject of speculation and controversy. Conversely, an amplification effect occurs when increased biodiversity is related to an increase in prevalence. We explore th...