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Human-driven changes to the world’s landscapes, from deforestation to rapid urban expansion, are significantly increasing the risk of zoonotic diseases — infections that jump from animals to humans — according to a major global scientific review published this year.
The study, which synthesizes more than two decades of research, finds that altering natural ecosystems disrupts long-standing ecological barriers that once limited contact between wildlife, disease vectors and people. As forests are cleared, wetlands drained and habitats fragmented, opportunities for pathogens to move from animals into human populations grow sharply.
The research analyzed more than 170 peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024, examining how land-use change affects disease hosts, vectors and pathogens across continents. It is one of the most comprehensive assessments to date of the links between environmental transformation and zoonotic risk.
“When we change landscapes, we change how species interact,” said Adam Fell, a researcher at the University of Stirling and one of the study’s lead authors. “Those changes often bring humans into closer contact with animals and vectors that carry infectious diseases.”
The evidence consistently shows that land-use change is associated with higher zoonotic risk, particularly for diseases spread by vectors such as mosquitoes and rodents. These species often thrive in disturbed environments, including agricultural frontiers, forest edges and expanding urban areas, where natural predators are reduced and food sources increase.
Fragmented Habitats, Rising Exposure
Researchers found that habitat fragmentation plays a critical role in increasing disease transmission. When continuous ecosystems are broken into smaller patches, wildlife is forced into closer proximity with human settlements. At the same time, species that are less adaptable decline, while resilient disease carriers often multiply.
This ecological imbalance creates what scientists describe as “spillover pathways,” allowing viruses, bacteria and parasites to move more easily between animals and people. Such conditions have been linked to a range of infectious diseases worldwide.
The study emphasizes that these risks are not theoretical. They are already unfolding in landscapes undergoing rapid transformation, particularly in regions experiencing agricultural expansion, logging and infrastructure development.
Gaps in Research Where Risk Is Highest
Despite the global scope of zoonotic threats, the researchers identified a striking imbalance in where scientific studies have been conducted. Most research on land-use change and zoonotic disease has focused on high-income regions, including Europe and North America.
In contrast, regions that bear a disproportionate burden of zoonotic disease — notably West Africa and Southeast Asia — remain underrepresented in the scientific literature. These areas are also experiencing some of the fastest rates of land-use change globally.
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To address this gap, the research team identified 50 priority locations worldwide where future studies could have the greatest impact. These sites were selected based on patterns of environmental change, human-wildlife interaction and public health vulnerability.
Beyond identifying risks, the study also examined whether restoring ecosystems could help reduce zoonotic threats. Interventions such as reforestation, wetland restoration and habitat protection show potential for lowering disease risk by re-establishing ecological balance.
“Environmental restoration should be viewed as a public health strategy, not just a conservation effort,” said Soushieta Jagadesh, a researcher at Alternet-Eklipse and a co-author of the study. “Healthy ecosystems can reduce the conditions that allow pathogens to spread.”
However, the researchers caution that restoration is not a universal solution. Its effectiveness varies by disease type, geographic context and management approach. Poorly planned restoration projects may inadvertently create new habitats for disease vectors if ecological dynamics are not carefully considered.
One Health at the Center
The findings reinforce the growing call for a One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. The researchers argue that land-use decisions should explicitly account for health impacts alongside economic and development goals.
Too often, they note, policies governing agriculture, mining, forestry and urban development are made without considering how environmental disruption can influence disease emergence. As a result, public health systems are left responding to outbreaks rather than preventing them.
Integrating ecological data, disease surveillance and land-use planning could help governments anticipate and reduce zoonotic risks before they escalate, the authors say.
While the scientific evidence is increasingly clear, translating it into policy remains a major challenge. Many countries facing the highest zoonotic risks also struggle with limited resources, weak health infrastructure and economic pressures that drive continued land conversion.
The researchers stress the need for long-term, interdisciplinary monitoring that combines ecology, epidemiology and spatial planning. Without such efforts, they warn, the world may continue to face emerging infectious diseases rooted in environmental degradation.
The study, titled “Global evidence synthesis on land-use change and zoonotic risks,” was received on December 3, 2025, and published on January 27, 2026, in the journal Nature Sustainability. The authors include Adam Fell, Soushieta Jagadesh, A. Bradley Duthie, Luci Kirkpatrick and Nils Bunnefeld. (Wage Erlangga)
