The main directions of transformation of the biodiversity of insects and ticks in the Caspian region in the context of climate change and their impact on natural focal diseases

The objective was to consider the main directions of transformation of the biodiversity of insects and ticks in the Caspian region in the context of climate change and to assess their impact on the epidemiological situation of natural focal diseases. Due to global climate change and an increase in average annual temperatures, destructive changes are being observed in the Caspian region, which entail bioecological, biomedical, and socio‐economic consequences. The rapid pace of climate change prevents the mechanisms of adaptation of organisms from being triggered and leads to a reduction in biodiversity, disruption of the structure and sustainability of communities. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in the number of alien insect and tick species expanding their ranges and creating new populations, including in southern Russia and the Caucasus. There is a change in the composition and structure of the fauna, the ecology of background species, a decrease in the proportion of autochthonous species, the displacement of the original Caucasian endemics, and an increase in the number of migrants and pests of cultivated plants. Biological invasions are a global problem and pose a serious threat to public health, as there is an expansion of the ranges of blood‐sucking insects and ticks, which can be natural reservoirs and vectors of vector‐borne diseases. Due to the increase in average annual temperatures in the Caspian region, there is a decrease in biodiversity, changes in the composition, structure and stability of ecosystems, loss of rare and endemic species, invasion of alien species and pests. If the pace of climate change continues, the spread of vectors and pathogens of vector‐borne infections and the formation of new natural foci of diseases are expected.