Oceanic Pandemics from Foundation to Keystone Species

Explore the impact of large-scale disease outbreaks in oceans through this 1 hour 22 minute AGU conference talk. Delve into how climate change is accelerating these pandemics, reshaping ecosystems from coral reefs to seagrass beds. Examine the transformative effects on foundation species and keystone predators, such as the ongoing seastar wasting disease and its cascading impact on kelp-bed ecosystems. Learn about the eelgrass disease outbreak affecting critical habitats from San Diego to Alaska, and discover the surveillance tools used to monitor its spread. Gain insights into the relationship between marine heatwaves and disease expansion. Explore new research on seagrasses' ability to reduce bacterial pathogen load, offering potential strategies for managing ocean health. Understand how improving knowledge of host-pathogen interactions is paving the way for better stewardship of marine ecosystems in the face of increasing oceanic pandemics.