CASE STUDY 3

The German case study area (CSA) encompasses the entire Emscher catchment in North Rhine-Westphalia, western Germany. It is characterized by river and floodplain restoration. In general, intensively cared-for dikes and near river meadows are known to have a reduced biodiversity. Still, the knowledge on the impact of extensively cared for areas, and their impact on mitigating or increasing pathogen infection risk is limited.

Therefore, the central question of the investigations is about the role of water and river bed restoration in the Emscher catchment on vector- and rodent-borne zoonotic pathogens. In addition we will address the role of predators on pathogen richness and abundance in small mammals.