Hello All.

I was asked, in very short order, to develop an undergraduate topics course
that looks at infectious diseases in plant and/or animal communities that
have an underlying human cause.  I want to develop as many of these topics
as I can and find research papers that we can discuss in class.  For example
one topic I have been  thinking about include the introduction of Chestnut
Blight into North America and its impact on the American Chestnut and
associated ecosystems. Part of what we would like to do is evaluate disease
impact and investigate the known or suspected human  evaluating both the
claim and the impact of the disease.

I been thinking about marine systems as well.  A couple that I have thought
about include, potentially Abalone Withering Syndrome and Coral diseases
provided I can find papers on both the disease and the suspected link to
human activity.

So I ask A) If you know of any such papers (especially on Abalone Disease)
I would greatly appreciate references that I can chase down and B) If you
have any other suggested topics that I can pursue.  If you are aware of
diseases that are the result of intentional or accidental release,
acidification or other forms of pollution, or suspected connections to
global warming I would indeed be very grateful.  I have a few other topics
including distemper in wild animals, frog declines linked to fungal
infections with suspected human links, a few other fungal infections linked
to plant communities,  Malarial infections in birds (Hawaii), and a half
dozen other topics.

I've always appreciated the leads I've gotten from this group. Any
suggestions would be appreciated.

Doug Stemke

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