Aedes aegypti in the city of Córdoba: spatial distribution and habitat suitability drivers

Background: According to the World Health Organization, dengue is among the top ten global health threats. The invasion of new sites by Aedes aegypti and their permanence depends on environmental characteristics of the site. Therefore, the objective was to understand the environmental characteristic...

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Main Authors: Elisabet M. Benitez, Florencia Sangermano, Francisco F. Ludueña-Almeida, Walter R. Almirón, Elizabet L. Estallo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:The Journal of Climate Change and Health
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667278225000677
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author Elisabet M. Benitez
Florencia Sangermano
Francisco F. Ludueña-Almeida
Walter R. Almirón
Elizabet L. Estallo
author_facet Elisabet M. Benitez
Florencia Sangermano
Francisco F. Ludueña-Almeida
Walter R. Almirón
Elizabet L. Estallo
author_sort Elisabet M. Benitez
collection DOAJ
description Background: According to the World Health Organization, dengue is among the top ten global health threats. The invasion of new sites by Aedes aegypti and their permanence depends on environmental characteristics of the site. Therefore, the objective was to understand the environmental characteristics that affect Ae. aegypti distribution in Córdoba city, Argentina. Methods: This evaluation was carried out through species distribution models, using maximum entropy modeling technique, incorporating a set of environmental variables known to influence the presence and suitability of Ae. aegypti habitats. The factors evaluated included both meteorological variables, such as minimum and maximum temperature and average precipitation, land cover characteristics like vegetation index and built-up index, and population count. Temperature and precipitation conditions constrain the development and survival of the vector. Vegetation can act as a temperature regulator and provide resting sites, while populated and built-up areas relate to the availability of breeding sites and blood sources. Results: The results indicate that Ae. aegypti habitat suitability is determined by human population count (permutation importance: 89 in 2015, 80.9 in 2017), the amount of built-up areas (61.7, 80.8), vegetation greenness (70.7, 55.9), and minimum temperature (42.2, 92.6). Human population manifested a positive effect on the habitat suitability as well as minimum temperature, while vegetation and the amount of built-up areas showed a quadratic relationship. Discussion: In this study, we incorporate temperature and precipitation as spatial variables, which were not considered in similar studies in Córdoba City. Our study's results highlight that although demographic and land cover variables prevailed in importance, meteorological variables are also good predictors of spatial distribution of Ae. aegypti at the local scale. Conclusions: The importance of generating maps and/or models to identify the distribution of mosquito habitats lies in the fact that they can show vulnerable areas and guide stakeholders efforts on public health prevention. Also, they can direct actions to vector control and, consequently, the pathogens they transmit.
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spelling doaj-art-a58e097b4ce44799a4fe442a35dcdb082025-08-25T04:14:54ZengElsevierThe Journal of Climate Change and Health2667-27822025-09-012510055010.1016/j.joclim.2025.100550Aedes aegypti in the city of Córdoba: spatial distribution and habitat suitability driversElisabet M. Benitez0Florencia Sangermano1Francisco F. Ludueña-Almeida2Walter R. Almirón3Elizabet L. Estallo4Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIBYT) CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones Entomológicas de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Av. Vélez Sarsfield 1611 (5016). Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba Capital, Córdoba, Argentina; Corresponding author.Graduate School of Geography, Clark University. Worcester, MA, USAInstituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIBYT) CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones Entomológicas de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Av. Vélez Sarsfield 1611 (5016). Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba Capital, Córdoba, Argentina; Departamento de Matemática (Cs. Biológicas). Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Av. Vélez Sarsfield 1611 (5016). Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba Capital, Córdoba, ArgentinaInstituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIBYT) CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones Entomológicas de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Av. Vélez Sarsfield 1611 (5016). Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba Capital, Córdoba, ArgentinaInstituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas (IIBYT) CONICET- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones Entomológicas de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Av. Vélez Sarsfield 1611 (5016). Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba Capital, Córdoba, ArgentinaBackground: According to the World Health Organization, dengue is among the top ten global health threats. The invasion of new sites by Aedes aegypti and their permanence depends on environmental characteristics of the site. Therefore, the objective was to understand the environmental characteristics that affect Ae. aegypti distribution in Córdoba city, Argentina. Methods: This evaluation was carried out through species distribution models, using maximum entropy modeling technique, incorporating a set of environmental variables known to influence the presence and suitability of Ae. aegypti habitats. The factors evaluated included both meteorological variables, such as minimum and maximum temperature and average precipitation, land cover characteristics like vegetation index and built-up index, and population count. Temperature and precipitation conditions constrain the development and survival of the vector. Vegetation can act as a temperature regulator and provide resting sites, while populated and built-up areas relate to the availability of breeding sites and blood sources. Results: The results indicate that Ae. aegypti habitat suitability is determined by human population count (permutation importance: 89 in 2015, 80.9 in 2017), the amount of built-up areas (61.7, 80.8), vegetation greenness (70.7, 55.9), and minimum temperature (42.2, 92.6). Human population manifested a positive effect on the habitat suitability as well as minimum temperature, while vegetation and the amount of built-up areas showed a quadratic relationship. Discussion: In this study, we incorporate temperature and precipitation as spatial variables, which were not considered in similar studies in Córdoba City. Our study's results highlight that although demographic and land cover variables prevailed in importance, meteorological variables are also good predictors of spatial distribution of Ae. aegypti at the local scale. Conclusions: The importance of generating maps and/or models to identify the distribution of mosquito habitats lies in the fact that they can show vulnerable areas and guide stakeholders efforts on public health prevention. Also, they can direct actions to vector control and, consequently, the pathogens they transmit.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667278225000677habitat suitabilityAedes aegyptispecies distribution modelCórdoba (Argentina)urban area
spellingShingle Elisabet M. Benitez
Florencia Sangermano
Francisco F. Ludueña-Almeida
Walter R. Almirón
Elizabet L. Estallo
Aedes aegypti in the city of Córdoba: spatial distribution and habitat suitability drivers
The Journal of Climate Change and Health
habitat suitability
Aedes aegypti
species distribution model
Córdoba (Argentina)
urban area
title Aedes aegypti in the city of Córdoba: spatial distribution and habitat suitability drivers
title_full Aedes aegypti in the city of Córdoba: spatial distribution and habitat suitability drivers
title_fullStr Aedes aegypti in the city of Córdoba: spatial distribution and habitat suitability drivers
title_full_unstemmed Aedes aegypti in the city of Córdoba: spatial distribution and habitat suitability drivers
title_short Aedes aegypti in the city of Córdoba: spatial distribution and habitat suitability drivers
title_sort aedes aegypti in the city of cordoba spatial distribution and habitat suitability drivers
topic habitat suitability
Aedes aegypti
species distribution model
Córdoba (Argentina)
urban area
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667278225000677
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