An abiotic vector is a non-living factor capable of successfully transporting a pathogenic agent from an infected living organism to another uninfected living organism or to food, or to its environment. Transport is considered effective if it enables the pathogen to be maintained in the environment in question. In plant health, water and wind are two essential abiotic vectors involved in the spread of plant pests over varying distances (e.g. water/bacteria; wind/insect vectors).