Parasites in biodiversity conservation: friend or foe?
Joshua I. Brian
Abstract
Parasites stabilise food webs and facilitate species coexistence but can also lead to population- or species-level extinctions. So, in biodiversity conservation, are parasites friends or foes? This question is misleading: it implies that parasites are not part of biodiversity. Greater integration of parasites into global biodiversity and ecosystem conservation efforts is required.
Topics & Concepts
BiodiversityConservation biologyEcosystemBiodiversity conservationPopulationBiologyEcologyGeographyEnvironmental healthMedicineParasite Biology and Host InteractionsWildlife Ecology and ConservationSpecies Distribution and Climate Change