STUDYING THE LINK between biodiversity and disease, Rutgers University scientists are measuring plant diversity, bird diversity and the prevalence of West Nile virus among mosquito populations in a variety of New Jersey wetlands (white cedar swamp in the John D. Kuser Natural Area, above). Previous research has shown that the strongest carriers of West Nile are birds that predominate in disturbed and less diverse habitats, such as house sparrows (far right). Birds more common in undisturbed habitats, such as prothonotary warblers (right), tend to carry less of the virus.

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