September 7th at the Lindley Center from 6-8pm
In Montana, one of the best examples of Montana warming is Glacier National Park. There are only 25 remaining glaciers in Glacier NP, down from 150 a century ago. We know it is changing; now we need to address it in SW MT.
National Wildlife Federation, National Audubon, U S Fish and Wildlife Service, USFS, USGS and EPA have recognized the reality of climate change, and All of these organizations have developed guidance on preparing for climate change
In addition the us has invested in global change research program for national climate assessment, and On an international level there is an international panel on climate change
These evaluations and reports say PREPARE FOR a warmer climate. Global temperatures are rising and temperatures are rising in Montana
In Montana, humans can adapt but wildlife will have a much more difficult time. We need to anticipate and plan so that we will have robust wildlife populations for the near and long term.
We need to prepare to deal with issues that affect wildlife
- Water limitations: How can we keep more water in our streams and rivers. What mitigation measures can be taken? For example, will reestablishing beavers help to keep water in streams longer? This is one idea that might answer part of the question: How can we leave adequate water for important fisheries?
- In a warmer climate, wildlife will need greater habitat. Some snow dependent species will need to go higher and further to meet their needs. As wildlife adjusts to changes in habitat, they will need larger landscapes and these landscapes will need greater connectivity. This connectivity will happen through wildlife corridors that will need to be identified and protected.
- Wildlife will be exposed to more Diseases and Parasites. Our usually cold winters may not keep in check the spread of wildlife diseases, for example the White-tailed deer have contacted EHD and Blue tongue. There was an outbreak in 2012 that affected at least 15 states including Montana. The disease is a Viruses transmitted by midges (no-seeums). The Outbreaks occur during hot, dry summers and when Deer congregate at water sources in drought. The midges live in the moist areas around the water sources and infect deer with the fatal disease
- Parasites that were killed off in Montana’s colder winters survive. One example is the moose and the ticks that live on the moose, and are likely affecting moose populations.
- Forage quality and productivity on public lands may diminish in drought conditions and forage quality and productivity will need to be evaluated for wildlife needs
- Elk will see Habitat changes. The climate projections for the Greater Yellowstone area are for warmer and drier weather patterns. For example, the Rate of greenup in the spring for elk is important. The quicker the rate (earlier in the spring) the poorer survival of mountain ungulates (Pettorelli et al 2007) Earlier springs strongly correlated with earlier end of growing season and drought years. Drought years where little forage is left for wildlife pushes wildlife onto bottom lands (many with irrigation) which are typically privately owned. Sometimes landowners are not tolerant of wildlife.
- Our rivers depend on snowpack, and we are getting less snow and it is melting off earlier, leaving rivers with diminished flows. After withdrawals for agriculture, river flows are not adequate to support our important fisheries. Today, according to USGS data, rivers in SW MT are below normal. The Yellowstone at Corwin Springs is 51% of normal and at Livingston 57%. The Gallatin River at Gallatin Gateway is 70% and 51% of normal at Logan. The Shields River near Livingston is 33%, the Jefferson near Three Forks is 24% and the Big Hole near Melrose is 42%. We have been alerted to river closures to fishing since the end of June.
- These are some of the issues that we in SW MT need to discuss. Please come to listen, learn, contribute – help start a discussion of how to move forward to help wildlife in a warmer Montana.
Gallatin Wildlife Association, Montana Wildlife Federation and Great Old Broads for Wilderness are hosting an evening event on Wildlife in a Warming Montana World on Wednesday, September 7th. There will be presentations and a question and answer period.
The event will be at the Lindley Center from 6-8pm. Snacks and beverages will be provided. We will have a social gathering from 5:30 to 6:00, and presentations at 6:00.
