This schema represents zoonotic disease emergence from the perspective of the ecosystems within a regional environment, the large scale processes involved, and the associated ecological effects and processes involved in disease emergence. Thus, referring to Table 1 , the factors under 'Demographic and Societal Changes' can be identified in reference to particular ecosystems and processes (i.e., urban and urbanization, agriculture and agricultural intensification, forest and forest alteration), and associated factors operating on regional and global scales. These are unprecedented population growth, unplanned and uncontrolled urbanization, non-biodegradable packaging of consumer goods, and modern transportation, all contributing to conditions that promote pathogen transmission and persistence.