Deforestation and Malaria Analytical Essay

Looks at scientific studies to establish a link between deforestation and increased incidence of malaria.
# 150806 | 1,860 words | 6 sources | APA | 2010 | TR
Published on Apr 25, 2012 in Environmental Studies (Environmental Problems) , Biology (Ecology) , Medical and Health (Public Health Issues)


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Description:

This paper explains that, by the 1960s, malaria was considered to be completely conquered but now has returned, causing more fatalities than it had 50 years ago. Next, the author relates that the scientific community hypothesized that activities associated with globalization, such as rampant deforestation and human expansion, lead to an increased incidence of the disease. After reviewing several scientific studies, the paper concludes that deforestation does lead to changes in the ecology of the vector organism making it difficult to find hosts other than humans, that deforestation may create environmental conditions, such as changes in temperature and humidity, which are more suitable for the reproduction of the vector organism, and that human activities following deforestation, such as construction, agriculture and even littering, will lead to increased habitats for these Anopheles mosquitoes.

From the Paper:

"A similar study conducted by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in 2009 drew parallel results to the previous research. That being said, this study focused on larval concentrations of A. darlingi in the environment rather than human bite rates. Additionally, adult samples of A. darlingi were collected, and a survey was conducted in the nearby villages to determine the prevalence of malaria in the population. In choosing the locations, satellite generated vegetation layouts were utilized to select areas of differing forestation. It is possible to say that the study attempts to explain increased plasmodial infection in the Northern Peruvian Amazon as caused by deforestation leading to increases in A. darlingi breeding site availability. The study hypothesizes that deforestation will lead to a higher prevalence of malaria in the population due to increased habitat for larvae. In order to collect ecologically balanced samples, the 56 collection sites were classified according to vegetation type and population density. The locations were sampled in 3-week collection cycles, in which 8 researchers would sample the selected bodies of water within the site using 0.5 liter dippers. The number of dips taken from each body of water was determined according to the approximate circumference of the habitat, with up to 55 dips being taken from larger bodies of water."

Sample of Sources Used:

  • Malaria. (2010). World Health Organization [Malaria Information]. Retrieved February 11, 2010, from http://www.who.int/topics/malaria/en/
  • Malaria: Topic Home. (2010). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [Malaria General Information]. Retrieved February 11, 2010, from http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/
  • Manga, L. (1995). Malaria Vectors and Transmission in an Area Deforested for a New International Airport in Southern Cameroon. University of Wisconsin, 43-49. Retrieved from http://veg.sage.wisc.edu/~zaks/sho/PDFs/Manga%201995.pdf
  • Pan, W., & Vittor, A. Y. (2009). Linking Deforestation to Malaria in the Amazon: Characterization of the Breeding Habitat of the Principal Malaria Vector, Anopheles darlingi. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 5-12. Retrieved from http://www.ajtmh.org/cgi/reprint/81/1/5?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=Linking+Deforestation+to+Malaria+in+the+Amazon%3A+Characterization+of+the+Breeding&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT
  • Uneke, C., & Ibeh, L. (2009). Impacts of deforestation on malaria in south-eastern Nigeria: the epidemiological, socio-economic and ecological implications. The Internet Journal of Third World Medicine, 8(1). Retrieved from http://www.ispub.com/journal/the_internet_journal_of_third_world_medicine/volume_8_number_1_17/article/impacts-of-deforestation-on-malaria-in-south-eastern-nigeria-the-epidemiological-socio-economic-and-ecological-implications.html

Cite this Analytical Essay:

APA Format

Deforestation and Malaria (2012, April 25) Retrieved March 29, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/deforestation-and-malaria-150806/

MLA Format

"Deforestation and Malaria" 25 April 2012. Web. 29 March. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/deforestation-and-malaria-150806/>

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