Parasites Ecological Communities From Interactions to Ecosystems … 9780521889704

Parasites in Ecological CommunitiesFrom Interactions to Ecosystems\nAuthor(s): Melanie J. Hatcher, Alison M. Dunn\nFormat: Hardback\nPublisher: Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom\nImprint: Cambridge University Press\nISBN-13: 9780521889704, 978-0521889704\nSynopsis\nInteractions between competitors, predators and their prey have traditionally been viewed as the foundation of community structure. Parasites long ignored in community ecology are now recognized as playing an important part in influencing species interactions and consequently affecting ecosystem function. Parasitism can interact with other ecological drivers, resulting in both detrimental and beneficial effects on biodiversity and ecosystem health. Species interactions involving parasites are also key to understanding many biological invasions and emerging infectious diseases. This book bridges the gap between community ecology and epidemiology to create a wide-ranging examination of how parasites and pathogens .