Projected climate changes are believed to promote emerging infectious diseases. This study investigates the link between climate change and cassava disease pandemics in East Africa, specifically focusing on the role of the whitefly species *Bemisia tabaci*. Using the CLIMEX climate niche model, corroborated by field observations, the study finds that improved climatic conditions for *B. tabaci* in pandemic areas correlate significantly with increased whitefly abundance and cassava disease prevalence over a 39-year period. This represents the first documented case attributing historical climate changes to increased insect pest abundance and a subsequent crop disease pandemic.
Publisher
Scientific Reports
Published On
Dec 16, 2020
Authors
Darren J. Kriticos, Ross E. Darnell, Tania Yonow, Noboru Ota, Robert W. Sutherst, Hazel R. Parry, Habibu Mugerwa, M. N. Maruthi, Susan E. Seal, John Colvin, Sarina Macfadyen, Andrew Kalyebi, Andrew Hulthen, Paul J. De Barro
Tags
climate change
cassava diseases
whitefly
Bemisia tabaci
East Africa
pest abundance
crop disease
Related Publications
Explore these studies to deepen your understanding of the subject.
