The northern part of Michigan is being overrun by southern invaders, according to scientific data to be presented in the public lecture “Signs of a Warming Climate: Is It Later Than We Think?”
The talk by Philip Myers will be at 5 p.m. Feb. 3 at the Exhibit Museum of Natural History, 1109 Geddes Ave.
A comparison of recent surveys, which examine distributions of mammal species in Michigan to historical records from museums, shows the northern part of the state is indeed being overrun by invader species, says Myers, professor of zoology, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and curator, Museum of Zoology, LSA.
Meanwhile, Myers has found that data from weather stations and other sources reveal a strong and unequivocal pattern of warming over the last century. These two sets of observations come together in ongoing research at U-M’s Biological Station in northern Michigan. The research explores how the numbers of a southern invader species, in this case white-footed mice, are affected by winter conditions.
The lecture is co-sponsored by the U-M Program in the Environment and the Exhibit Museum of Natural History as part of the 2009-10 LSA Theme Year, “Meaningful Objects: Museums in the Academy.” A reception follows.
For directions and parking suggestions go to www.lsa.umich.edu/exhibitmuseum.
For more information about the Program in the Environment go to www.lsa.umich.edu/pite.
