Discovery identifies cause of devastating sunflower sea star decline
An international team of scientists recently announced a major breakthrough in understanding sea star wasting disease, a mysterious epidemic responsible for decimating sunflower sea stars (*Pycnopodia helianthoides*). More than 90% of this crucial species has vanished from California’s coastline since 2013, significantly affecting Sonoma County’s marine ecosystems. Researchers identified the bacterium (*Vibrio pectenicida*) as the disease’s culprit, potentially opening the door to recovery efforts.
Urchin explosion linked to sea star disappearance
Sunflower sea stars once played a key role in controlling purple sea urchin populations, protecting the kelp forests along…..