Vortrag, 39. Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Ökologie (GfÖ), Bayreuth: 14.09.2009 - 18.09.2009
Abstract:
Human traffic and trade contributes to the spread of many species into areas that could not be reached by them so far. Among them some insect species function as vectors for human diseases. One of them is the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus syn. Stegomyia albopictus) considered to be an invasive species and a potential vector of West Nile fever, Chikungunya fever and Dengue fever. Mosquitoes cannot regulate their body temperature. Thus, they are closely connected to the thermal conditions of their environment. Ecological methods enable an estimation of potential vector habitats on different spatial and temporal scales. Species distribution models allow the detection of climate envelopes of Aedes albopictus and the transfer of requirements to future climate change scenarios. Sites are predicted which will have climatically suitable future conditions in Bavaria The multi-factorial impacts, which determine the occurrence of the Asian tiger mosquito, require target-oriented interdisciplinary research activ ties. A structured literature search analyses connections between disciplines and highlights at deficits and challenges. Hence, we emphasise the necessity to link approaches from biology, medicine and ecology towards medical ecology.