Far-flung regions with similar climates that are suddenly linked by a busy flight route are at an increased risk of an invasion of foreign species, according to scientists at Oxford University. The new research also identified an ?invasion window? across the global air network from June to August when climatic conditions at regions linked by long haul routes are most similar to one another and the higher number of flights increases the chances of exotic species hitching a ride to somewhere new. "When we combined this monthly climate data with information on how busy flight routes were in particular months the results were striking,? said Dr Andy Tatem of Oxford?s Department of Zoology, who led the work with Dr Simon Hay, ?the June to August period stood out as the time when the busiest flight routes connect geographically distant but climatically similar locations. This combination potentially increases the overall chances of dispersal and successful invasion of foreign species.? For the full story: Click Here.

The same applies to regions undergoing climate change. They are at increased risk of invasion by species that thrive in the changed climate.

From: "Climate change linked to disease epidemics"

"A team of researchers led by Drew Harvell at Cornell University have completed a two-year study into climate-disease links. "What is most surprising is the fact that climate sensitive outbreaks are happening with so many different types of pathogens - viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites - as well as in such a wide range of hosts including corals, oysters, terrestrial plants and birds," Harvell says."

"The US team found evidence for a variety of routes for climate warming to adversely affect disease spread. For instance, warmer winters could reduce seasonal die-off of many pathogens and their carriers, or allow them to move into areas that were previously too cold."

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn2438