Our organized oral session is designed to synthesize information on the growing field of disease ecology and restoration. We focus on amphibians because they have become increasingly threatened worldwide and a growing number of studies have identified the importance of disease in contributing to this pattern. However, despite progress in understanding the ecology of disease in nature, potential pathways toward recovery have received surprisingly little attention. Here we aim to identify critical pieces of missing information necessary to developing applied restoration strategies to reduce or reverse ongoing population losses. Participants will present new research results that help to meet the following objectives: 1. Identify pathogens that threaten amphibian populations, directly or indirectly. How do the consequences of diseases extend beyond amphibians to affect other trophic levels or ecosystem properties? Focus will be restricted to infectious pathogens, such as helminths (e.g., Ribeiroia), bacteria (e.g., Aeromonas), viruses, and fungal groups (e.g., Batrachochytrium and Saprolegnia). 2. Examine the physical and biological factors linked to pathogen emergence, with a particular focus on the contributing roles of habitat alteration (e.g., pollution, deforestation), climate shifts, and biotic change (e.g., addition or loss of species). What common lessons and patterns can be identified by examining a broad range of pathogens affecting different taxa, regions, and ecosystems? 3. Given the patterns identified above, how can this information be synthesized into effective strategies for predicting and preventing disease spread? What missing pieces of information are needed before progress is possible in this arena? Discussion will focus on possible strategies for (a) the control of the pathogen, (b) control or reduction of the environmental co-factor, and (c) treatment or selection within the amphibian population (including captive breeding). 4. Determine research priorities for future efforts, with the aim of developing interdisciplinary teams capable of integrating epidemiology, ecology, parasitology and herpetology. How can ecological theory guide practical solutions, and on what timeline can trial runs of prescribed solutions be applied?