A Spatial Model for Plant Disease Spread: Analysis of Landscape Heterogeneity Effects

This study investigates the spatial dynamics of plant disease spread by expanding upon an existing spatial model. The model incorporates key factors such as host-pathogen interactions, spore dispersal, and landscape heterogeneity. Two distinct landscape types, clustered and non-clustered, were simulated to assess the influence of spatial structure on disease dynamics. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of host fraction, spore migration rate, and dispersal kernel parameters on disease spread. Results from the base case simulations demonstrated distinct disease progression patterns in clustered and non-clustered landscapes, highlighting the significant influence of host aggregation and landscape structure on disease dynamics. The sensitivity analysis revealed that host fraction and dispersal kernel parameters exerted the most significant influence on disease spread in both landscape types. These findings emphasize the crucial role of spatial factors in plant disease dynamics and highlight the importance of incorporating landscape heterogeneity and spatial variability in disease management strategies.