Species: Pisaster ochraceus
Ochre Star
Species
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Encyclopedia of Puget Sound
Articles:
Knowing the cause of sea star wasting disease allows scientists to look for ways to increase resilience among the ravaged sea star population.
A study in the journal PLOS ONE uses volunteer diver surveys to assess the impacts of sea star wasting disease in the Salish Sea. Data shows that sunflower sea stars were especially hard hit and have all but disappeared from the region.
Competition occurs when individuals of different species struggle to obtain the same resource in an ecosystem (such as food or living space). Adaptations, such as physical mutations and behavior modifications, can help an organism outcompete its competitors.
