„Pandemia” care a devastat Pacificul: miliarde de stele de mare au murit, iar dispariția lor amenință întregul ecosistem

A significant effort is underway to save the sunflower sea star, which has seen a dramatic decline due to disease. Researchers and the Samish Indian Nation are releasing lab-raised specimens into the wild. The sunflower sea star, once common in the Northeast Pacific, has lost about 90% of its population, equating to potentially five billion individuals. The disease linked to tissue degradation is associated with Vibrio bacteria, exacerbated by marine heatwaves from climate change. Initial releases show promising results, with many specimens surviving without signs of illness. The project aims to restore not just the species but also the kelp ecosystems they support.