Biology subjects

Bouhsira, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Bouhsira, E..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Vegetated urban spaces increase Aedes albopictus survival and the risk of Dengue and Chikungunya Transmission: a field and modelling study in Montpellier, France

IntroductionBy 2025, Aedes albopictus had spread across France, leading to a rise in indigenous arboviral cases since 2021. While urban greening is promoted for its health and climate benefits, its potential adverse effects on arboviral risk remain understudied. Urban green spaces may enhance mosquito habitats and human-vector contact. MethodsThis study investigates the variation in Aedes albopictus longevity across months and urban environments in Montpellier, a green Mediterranean city, and its impact on the theoretical basic reproductive number (R0) for Chikungunya, Dengue, and Zika viruses. From May to October 2023, female mosquitoes were sampled monthly using CO2 traps in three urban environments: urban parks, impervious areas, and residential areas composed of houses with gardens. Daily mosquito survival was estimated from parity rate measurements, and the associated environmental determinants were analysed. Modelled predictions, crude field estimates of vector density and parity rates, and microclimatic data were used to parameterize and feed R0 models. For each environment (or sampling area), 1000 monthly R0 simulations were run, followed by sensitivity analyses. Results/DiscussionThe highest mean daily survival (0.917) was observed in residential areas, compared to parks (0.887) and impervious areas (0.873). A daily average exposure of 10% of possible bites induces potential transmission risks for CHIKV and DENV. R0 varied by environment and month, with higher values in residential areas and with greater variability in impervious areas. Parity rate emerged as the main driver of R0 variability. These results highlight the value of fine-scale field data for arboviral risk assessment.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Green cities and the risk for vector-borne disease transmission for humans and animals: a scoping review

BackgroundGreening cities is a nature-based strategy for sustainable urban development that integrates natural elements like plants or water bodies, to mitigate climate change impacts and enhance human well-being. However, urban green infrastructures (UGIs) can influence the distribution of disease vectors, potentially affecting vector-borne diseases (VBDs). UGIs may provide new suitable environments for urban vectors, while also creating opportunities to mitigate VBD risks through predation, competition, and dilution effects. This article examined the relationships between UGIs, vectors, and associated pathogens, impacting both human and animal health, highlighting knowledge gaps and identifying research priorities to support VBD risk mitigation measures and to guide smart urban planning and design. MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines in three databases (Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science). Selected articles involved (i) any aspect of a urban vector system, (ii) in UGIs, and (iii) statistical analysis of the effects of UGIs on VBD risk. Methods employed to characterize UGIs and VBDs were described and the identified impacts were summarized by vector group. ResultsAmong the 98 articles reviewed, most addressed mosquito-pathogen systems (66), tick-pathogen systems (29), and few other vector-borne pathogen systems (3), with studies often confined to a single city or several cities within the same country and focused on one vector group. Urban vegetation generally appeared to heighten the risk of tick-borne diseases. In contrast, the influence of UGIs on the risk of mosquito-borne diseases varied depending on the vector system and on the environmental and climatic context. The diversity of indicators used to assess UGIs and VBD risks may affect the observed impact on VBD risk. ConclusionGiven the increasing popularity of urban greening, it is crucial to investigate its potential implications for public health, and thereby urban planning decisions. However, the lack of standardized protocols complicates the accurate assessment of the effects of UGIs on the risk for VBD emergence and transmission and consequently, on potential mitigation measures.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2025

Investigating the role of urban vegetation alongside other environmental variables in shaping Aedes albopictus presence and abundance in Montpellier, France

Urban greening helps address urbanization challenges, but it may also favor mosquito species, vectors of pathogens causing human diseases. This study examines the relationship between urban vegetation and the presence and abundance of Aedes albopictus in Montpellier, the second greenest city of France, while accounting for meteorology, microclimate, air quality, human socio-demography, and landscape. From May to October 2023, adult mosquitoes were collected monthly in urban parks, residential areas, and the highly impervious city center using BG-Pro traps with odor and CO2 attractants. Microclimate data (air temperature and relative humidity) were recorded on-site at each trap location using Hygrobutton data-loggers. Vegetation, land cover, meteorological, air quality, and human demographic data were gathered from open-access databases. Ae. albopictus presence and abundance were analysed according to environmental variables taken at different time lags and spatial distances using a two-stage modeling approach: bivariate analyses using generalized linear mixed models were conducted to select variables for inclusion in a multivariate random forest model, aiming to identify the factors that best explain Ae. albopictus presence and abundance. While urban vegetation had a limited effect on Ae. albopictus presence, the average patch size, and the percentage of area covered by low vegetation were among the most important predictors of abundance. The main predictors for presence were minimum hourly temperature (24h-48h before sampling), minimum atmospheric pressure during sampling, and the weekly cumulated rainfall recorded six weeks before sampling. The most important predictors of abundance were the average patch size of low vegetation, the maximum hourly temperatures during sampling, and the length of roads. To our knowledge, this is the first study examining urban vegetations influence on Ae. albopictus in France, offering insights for urban planning and suggesting further research on vegetations role in mosquito-borne disease transmission, particularly in the context of increasing dengue incidence in Europe.

ecology↗