DEFORESTATION, HABITAT LOSS, AND THE INCREASE IN ZOONOSES

Abstract

Large-scale deforestation represents one of the most profound ruptures in the relationship between humanity and the biosphere, triggering consequences that transcend vegetation cover loss and reach epidemiological dimensions. The destruction of forest ecosystems eliminates natural barriers that historically limited pathogen circulation between wildlife and human populations, creating conditions conducive to spillover events and zoonoses emergence. This study analyzes the connection between deforestation, habitat loss, and zoonoses increase, investigating ecological and epidemiological mechanisms that transform environmental degradation into health risk. The methodology adopts a qualitative approach of descriptive and exploratory nature, based on systematic literature review in databases such as Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and SciELO, covering publications between 2015 and 2025. Results demonstrate that regions with high forest conversion rates present positive correlation with infectious disease incidence, evidencing that habitat fragmentation favors reservoir species and vectors, intensifying contact between wildlife and humans. Conclusions indicate that forest protection constitutes an essential pandemic prevention strategy, requiring urgent integration between conservation policies and epidemiological surveillance to mitigate health risks associated with environmental degradation.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/edimpacto2025.088-002