Green Junction - The Fragile Balance of Nature: Climate Change and Biodiversity

One of the major consequences of climate change is the loss of biodiversity.  Other reasons for the decline in natural populations include changes in land use, pollution and exploitations of natural resources. According to a 2024 report by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the average decline of wildlife populations between 1970 and 2020 for 5,495 vertebrate species was 73%. Simultaneously, the warming global climate has created conditions for rises in population of certain insects and invasive species. These include some mosquitoes, beetles and ticks.

Many insect species have responded to rising temperatures by moving northward or to higher elevations and also to urban areas. Ticks are now present in more areas and their populations have been rising. The expanse of deer ticks, also known as blacklegged ticks, has led to more incidences of the diseases they spread, namely Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis, a bacterial disease first recognized in Minnesota in the early 1990s. Over the past three decades, incidences of Lyme disease have doubled and deer ticks continue to move north.

Dr. Lars Eisen, at the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, wrote a paper earlier this year titled “Why are the ticks winning, and what can we do about it?” The loss of some species that serve as predators for ticks is one reason for the increase in ticks. Animals that feed on ticks include opossums, wild birds, some lizards, and fox. Meanwhile, the population of deer, on which the older ticks feed, has risen, since they have fewer natural predators.

The CDC’s suggestions for limiting exposures to ticks include being informed on where ticks are present, avoiding areas with high populations of ticks (grassy, wooded areas) and applying insect repellants that are deemed safe and effective. Also, after outdoor excursions, it is important to check for ticks on your body, clothing and pets.