Many pathogens that affect terrestrial and marine plants and animals are
sensitive to changes in temperature, rainfall, and humidity. Development
and survival rates of most pathogens will increase with increased
temperature, although some pathogens may be expected to decline with
global warming. Harvell, et al (2002) give numerous examples of diseases
that are likely to change under a warmer climate. They conclude with four
research recommendations:
1) More baseline data on diseases of wild populations need to be
collected.
2) There is need to separate effects of multiple climate variables on
diseases.
3) There are opportunities to forecast outbreaks of crop and human
diseases.
4) The role of evolution and adaptation of infectious disease needs to be
evaluated.
Harvell, C. D., C. E. Mitchell, J. R. Ward, S. Altizer, A. P. Dobson, R. S. Ostfeld, and M. D. Samuel, 2002: Climate warming and disease risk for terrestrial and marine biota. Science 296, 2158-2162.