Warming climate is thinning state’s moose herd

MPR’s Tom Robertson reports on Minnesota’s dwindling moose population, which wildlife biologists believe may be affected by climate change. This story line is likely to turn up again and again. Most species are adapted to live within a defined range of temperatures. As the planet warms, many plants and animals lack the instincts or ability to migrate north to cooler climates. Even roaming a few miles is complicated these days because we’ve partitioned so much of the habitat with roads and development. The summer heat isn’t the only stress on our state’s plants and animals. The lack of deep freezes means bugs and other pests have an easier time surviving winter and wreaking havoc in the warm months. In the case of the moose, scientists said the heat stress makes the animals more vulnerable to disease, and deer parasites like brain worm are spreading to moose more easily.

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