What was done
After determining the effects of various abiotic factors on the habitat suitability of four tick species (Amblyomma hebraeum, Boophilus decoloratus, Hyalomma truncatum and Rhipicephalus appendiculatus), all of which are major vectors of livestock pathogens in South Africa, the author developed species-specific models of tick habitat suitability based on effects of historical and projected changes in climate.

What was learned
In the words of the author, "year-to-year variations in the forecasted habitat suitability over the period 1983-2000 show a clear decrease in habitat availability, which is attributed primarily to increasing temperature in the region over this period."  In addition, when climate variables were projected to the year 2015, it was determined that "the simulations show a trend toward the destruction of the habitats of the four tick species."

What it means
The author notes that "it is often suggested that one of the most important societal consequences of climate change may be an increase in the geographic distribution and transmission intensity of vector-borne disease."  In the cases of the four disease-carrying ticks of South Africa described in this study, however, just the opposite was observed.  How refreshing!