Figure 1.

As deforestation removes the higher levels of forest structure, including the canopy, light, and precipitation, exposure to the previously protected floor level leads to soil erosion and pool formations. The new environmental landscape promotes vector reproduction and expansion. Furthermore, organisms dependent on canopy habitation are now redistributed to ground levels closer to human interactions and have increased migrations towards urban developments. Increased vectors and increased human–animal exposures contribute to an increase in infection transmissions.