How Infectious Diseases Are Reshaping Conservation
Exploring the complex relationship between pathogens and biodiversity through scientific research and case studies
In the dense forests of Tanzania, a mysterious cancer is pushing Tasmanian devils toward extinction. In Australia, flying foxes displaced by habitat loss are spreading Hendra virus to horses and humans. And across North America, a subtle shift in mammal communities is causing Lyme disease to reach further every year. What connects these seemingly disparate stories? They all reveal the powerful, often invisible links between infectious diseases and biological conservation.
For decades, conservation focused primarily on protecting habitats and preventing poaching. But scientists are now recognizing that pathogens—viruses, bacteria, and parasites—play a crucial role in determining which species survive and which disappear. This understanding has never been more urgent, as human activities are simultaneously driving biodiversity loss and increasing disease transmission in what researchers now call a "polycrisis" where multiple emergencies intersect and amplify each other 1 .
"We know that spillovers from non-human animals are more common. We know that biodiversity loss is increasing. We know that the climate is getting warmer... we've entered what we call this polycrisis." 1
The story is complex—biodiversity loss doesn't always mean more disease, and diseases don't always threaten conservation. But as we'll explore, the interactions between ecosystem health, animal populations, and human activities are creating new challenges that demand innovative solutions. Welcome to the frontier where epidemiology meets conservation biology.
Infectious diseases have traditionally been viewed through a human health lens, but their role in conservation is multifaceted. While disease is a natural process that has always affected wildlife, several factors have changed the game:
Human activities are dramatically altering disease dynamics 1 .
Though disease alone rarely causes global extinction, it can devastate local populations and interact with other threats 3 .
Diseases can undermine conservation efforts directly, as seen with canine distemper threatening Ethiopian wolves and African wild dogs 3 .
Diverse ecosystems often dilute the impact of pathogens. When biodiversity declines, species that remain may be more efficient at transmitting diseases 4 .
Habitat loss brings wildlife, livestock, and humans into closer contact, increasing opportunities for pathogens to jump between species 1 .
Warming temperatures allow disease vectors like mosquitoes and ticks to expand into new territories 4 .
Human movements and wildlife trade transport pathogens to new regions and naive populations 3 .
Humans can transmit diseases to vulnerable wildlife. Respiratory viruses passed from humans to great apes have caused dramatic die-offs 7 .
These mechanisms don't operate in isolation—they interact in complex webs that reflect the interconnectedness of our planet's health systems.
Between December 2016 and February 2017, something was terribly wrong in the Ngogo community of chimpanzees in Kibale National Park, Uganda. Twenty-five chimpanzees—about 10% of this population—succumbed to a respiratory disease outbreak caused by human metapneumovirus 7 . For researchers who had dedicated their lives to studying these animals, it was a devastating loss that highlighted the vulnerability of our closest living relatives to human diseases.
This tragedy prompted the Ngogo Chimpanzee Project to implement stringent new disease prevention protocols. But would these measures actually work? A team of scientists led by Jacob D. Negrey designed a comprehensive study to find out 7 .
The researchers implemented a multi-pronged approach to assess the effectiveness of their new disease prevention strategies:
| Protocol Stage | Time Period | Measures Implemented |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 0 | May 2015-early 2017 | 7-meter distance from chimpanzees; no physical contact |
| Stage 1 | 2017 | Added face masks and regular hand sanitation |
| Stage 2 | 2020 onward | Added quarantine for research personnel |
The findings provided compelling evidence for the value of disease prevention in conservation:
| Protocol Stage | Health Observations | Coughing Observations | Coughing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 0 | 17,352 | 300 | 1.73% |
| Stage 1 | 10,157 | 24 | 0.24% |
| Stage 2 | 17,658 | 23 | 0.13% |
"Anthroponoses are transmitted to chimpanzees via asymptomatic human carriers who are unaware that they are infectious." 7
This research provides crucial evidence-based guidance for conservation practices:
Simple, low-cost measures like mask-wearing and hand sanitation can significantly reduce disease transmission to vulnerable wildlife.
These protocols protect both the animals and the researchers who study them.
Similar approaches could be applied to ecotourism and other human-wildlife interfaces.
The success at Ngogo offers hope that we can find ways to study and protect threatened species without inadvertently harming them in the process.
Understanding and mitigating disease impacts in conservation requires specialized tools and approaches. Researchers in this interdisciplinary field draw from both ecology and biomedical science.
| Tool Category | Specific Technologies | Application in Conservation |
|---|---|---|
| Genetic Analysis | PCR, qRT-PCR, genome sequencing | Pathogen detection and identification; tracking transmission routes; understanding pathogen evolution |
| Biodiversity Databases | GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) | Mapping species distributions; identifying disease hotspots; modeling climate change impacts |
| Field Equipment | Non-invasive sampling (fecal, hair); camera traps | Monitoring wildlife health and behavior without disturbance |
| Repository Resources | BEI Resources, ATCC repositories | Access to standardized pathogen strains and reagents for research consistency |
| Molecular Biology Kits | Nucleic acid purification; library preparation for sequencing | Studying host-pathogen interactions; immune responses; developing diagnostics |
"The unprecedented generation of large volumes of biodiversity data is consistently contributing to a wide range of disciplines, including disease ecology."
The integration of tools from molecular biology with ecological approaches has revolutionized this field. For instance, the use of genetic analysis helps researchers track pathogens across species, while biodiversity databases like GBIF provide critical context about host species distributions .
The complex interactions between human, animal, and environmental health have given rise to the One Health framework—an integrated approach that recognizes these interconnected systems. As one study emphasized, "The One Health challenge requires interdisciplinary collaboration and data sharing" . This perspective is crucial for addressing the root causes of disease emergence in conservation contexts.
Human Health + Animal Health + Environmental Health
Research has identified several promising directions for reducing disease impacts in conservation:
Conservation of intact ecosystems with diverse species compositions may help dilute disease impacts naturally 9 .
Implementing strict hygiene protocols around sensitive wildlife populations 7 .
Establishing surveillance programs to detect wildlife diseases early 3 .
Mitigating climate change may reduce range expansions of disease vectors 1 .
"Ultimately, this study shows that we have offset our balance with nature—and now, we're seeing that imbalance reflected in our own bodies. This is a wake-up call that to prevent future pandemics, we must protect nature." 4
The role of infectious diseases in biological conservation represents one of the most compelling examples of our planet's interconnectedness. Pathogens that jump between species, conservation interventions that inadvertently increase disease risk, and human activities that disrupt ecological balance—all reveal that we cannot separate human health from animal health from ecosystem health.
Increasing spillover events, biodiversity loss, and climate change create complex disease dynamics.
Evidence-based protocols, One Health approaches, and biodiversity protection offer pathways forward.
Interdisciplinary efforts are essential to address these interconnected challenges.
The challenges are significant, but research provides reasons for hope. Studies like the Ngogo chimpanzee project demonstrate that simple, careful interventions can make a meaningful difference. The growing recognition of these connections—embodied in frameworks like One Health—suggests we're developing the knowledge and tools needed to address these complex problems.
As we move forward, protecting biodiversity may prove to be one of our most powerful strategies for preventing infectious disease outbreaks. In the words of Neil Vora, a physician and policy fellow, "Only by mending this broken relationship can we address climate change, biodiversity loss, and the overlapping health crises that increasingly afflict us" 1 . The science is clear: our fate is inextricably linked to the health of the natural world we strive to protect.