Disease and Environmental Stress

Disease may be caused by infectious agents, nutritional imbalances, physiological or genetically-based abnormalities, and suboptimal environmental conditions, acting either alone or in combination with other factors.  In many instances, environmental stressors may merge forces with an infectious agent or some other non-infectious factor to produce or exacerbate a state of disease.  By studying aquatic wildlife both in their natural habitat and under controlled laboratory conditions, we further our understanding of the many factors and environmental stressors that interact to produce disease in these animals.   This information in turn may help the groups and agencies that manage aquatic animals and their habitats in addressing the sources of stress to better preserve the environment and protect its inhabitants against diseases that threaten these valuable resources.