Danger on the track? Tick densities near recreation infrastructures in forests

The risk of tick-borne disease in humans depends on the exposure to pathogen-infected ticks, which turn is driven by local tick population densities, pathogen prevalence and human activity. Variation densities between green spaces differing habitat characteristics, location geography has been well documented. In contrast, variation within spaces, although vital for management prevention risk, remains poorly understood. Studying this may lead a better understanding drivers small-scale distribution reveal priority locations management. We sampled ticks at three types representing different space infrastructures levels activity: (1) structural element (e.g. bench); (2) ecotone 40 m further along adjacent trail and; (3) interior associated forest stand, 20 perpendicular trail, (2). Drag sampling took place 2018 2019 36 10 located Campine region Flanders, Belgium. density questing nymphs (DON) was lowest elements slightly higher trails. highest were recorded interior. DON deciduous than coniferous forests as stands with more developed shrub layer. This true all types, we observed strong correlation stands. enables prediction stands, thus enabling near infrastructure based stand characteristics. Prevention efforts should be focused or deciduous, structure-rich large indicates overall, factual while using infrastructure.