An egg is always an adventure: anthropogenic impacts on Culex pipiens population dynamics

Boerlijst, S.P. (2025)

Doctoral Thesis

Anthropogenic change is reshaping ecological systems, raising concerns about increasing transmission of infectious diseases. Among these, mosquito-borne diseases may be particularly sensitive to environmental change, as their transmission depends on vector populations. Understanding how changes in the interplay between the environment, vector populations, and animal and human hosts relate to the increasing incidence and spread of pathogens, is crucial in anticipating and mitigating outbreaks. This thesis investigates how anthropogenic pressures – like climate change, water management and land use – affect the population dynamics of the disease vector Culex pipiens, whilst demonstrating the necessity of considering ecological complexity and realism in One Health studies.

• Habitat alteration
• Mosquito
• Mosquito-borne diseases
• One Health
• Vector ecology

• All authors: Boerlijst, S.P.
• Supervisor: Bodegom, P.M. van
• Co-supervisor: Schrama, M.J.J.; Boelee, E.
• Committee: Vijver, M.G.; Biesmeijer, J.C.; Bartumeus Ferré, F.; Bosch, Q.A. ten; Braks, M.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML), Faculty of Science, Leiden University
• Date: 2025-03-18
• ISBN (print): 9789051912135
• Sponsorship: NWO
• Grant number: NWA.1160.1S.210