The ecological significance of arthropod vectors of plant, animal, and human pathogens

Vector management is a cornerstone in the fight against vector-borne pathogens. However, the impact on ecosystem functioning of reducing or eliminating arthropod vector populations remains poorly understood. Vectors are members of complex ecological communities, and recent studies suggest that their population suppression alters food web dynamics (bottom-up and top-down trophic cascades), inter- and intraspecific competition, and plant pollination. Other possible overlooked roles are also proposed. In this review, with examples from vectors of plant, animal, and human pathogens, we highlight that, although the ecological roles of most vector species might be redundant with other nonvector species, changes in vector abundance alter biotic interactions and, thus, are unlikely to be neutral in terms of ecosystem functioning.

Automated summary

This review discusses the importance of vector management and highlights the impact of reducing or eliminating vector populations on ecosystem functioning. Using examples from various vector species, it emphasizes that changes in vector abundance alter biotic interactions and are unlikely to be neutral in terms of ecosystem functioning.