Impact of agricultural practices on the ecology of tick populations and tick-borne diseases

AbstractThis paper reviews the impact of agricultural activities on tick populations and tick-borne diseases, examining factors such as habitat modification, host availability, pesticide use, habitat fragmentation, climate change, livestock management practices, and transportation/trade. Agricultural practices often result in habitat modification, including deforestation and land clearing, which can disrupt tick habitats and alter their distribution. Introduction of livestock provides additional hosts for ticks, while pesticide use may directly affect tick populations and indirectly impact host availability. Habitat fragmentation, climate change, and livestock management practices further influence tick ecology and disease transmission dynamics.