Climate Change Driving Michigan Mammals North

Submitted by hlowengard on Thu, 06/04/2009 - 21:12.
12/31/1969 - 20:33
Etc/GMT-4
Story Link: 
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512193300.htm
Source: 
Science Daily
Pub Date: 
4 May 2009
Category: 
Climate Science/Technology
A new study has found that the ranges of some of the most common mammal
species in Michigan are moving northward. Researchers analyzed
distribution and abundance records of opossums and eight species of
small forest rodents both from records of live-trapping of animals over
the past 30 years and specimens and notes from research museums going
back 100 years. Species on the increase are southern species like the
southern flying squirrel. Species on the decrease are northern species
like the woodland jumping mouse. Researchers at the University of
Michigan, Michigan State University and Ohio's Miami University
published the study in the June issue of the journal Global Change
Biology.
 
Citation: Myers et al. Climate-induced changes in the small mammal
communities of the Northern Great Lakes Region. Global Change Biology,
2009; 15 (6): 1434 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2486.2009.01846.x