biostudies-literatureLedger KJNational Science Foundatione0222879https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6754170biostudies-literatureUnknown14(9)Land use influences the prevalence and distribution of ticks due to the intimate relationship of ticks with their environment. This relationship occurs because land use alters two essential tick requirements: vertebrate hosts for blood meals and a suitable microclimate when off-host. Given the risks to human and animal health associated with pathogens transmitted by ticks, there is an ongoing need to understand the impact of environmental drivers on tick distributions. Here, we assessed how landscape features, neighborhood effects, and edges influenced tick occupancy and abundance across an agricultural landscape in southern Africa. We found that Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus simus increased in abundance closer to protected savanna, while Haemaphysalis elliptica increased PloS oneMulti-scale patterns of tick occupancy and abundance across an agricultural landscape in southern Africa.PMC6754170DGE-18424731459882Wisely SMSayler KALedger KJKeenan RMfalseMulti-scale patterns of tick occupancy and abundance across an agricultural landscape in southern Africa.Land use influences the prevalence and distribution of ticks due to the intimate relationship of ticks with their environment. This relationship occurs because land use alters two essential tick requirements: vertebrate hosts for blood meals and a suitable microclimate when off-host. Given the risks to human and animal health associated with pathogens transmitted by ticks, there is an ongoing need to understand the impact of environmental drivers on tick distributions. Here, we assessed how landscape features, neighborhood effects, and edges influenced tick occupancy and abundance across an agricultural landscape in southern Africa. We found that Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus simus increased in abundance closer to protected savanna, while Haemaphysalis elliptica increased 2019-01-01T00:00:00Z20192025-04-19T09:43:25.397Z2019-10-11T07:08:38ZS-EPMC67541703153941210.1371/journal.pone.0222879