Effects of climate change in Missouri take root

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2009/03/09/changing-face-missouri/

Effects of climate change in Missouri take root

Monday, March 9, 2009 | 4:34 p.m. CDT

Photo illustration by Catherine McComb
BY Michael Amantea

COLUMBIA — No longer a phenomenon for future Missourians to worry about, climate change is clearly part of the here and now.

Growing conditions in the state have become more favorable for plants previously found farther south. Several species of birds common to Missouri are shifting their ranges northward. And if climate change continues to unfold as some climatologists predict, Missouri can expect warmer temperatures, shorter winters and an overall increase in rain and flooding.

That was the subject of the http://www.mnrc.org/">2009 Missouri Natural Resources Conference held at the Lake of the Ozarks from Feb. 4 to 6. The conference brought together resource specialists from around the state to explore the impact of global climate change on Missouri.

The stated goal of the conference wasn't to debate the cause of climate change. Rather, the goal was to open a scientific discussion about the possible consequences of climate change on the natural resources in Missouri.

…

[liberal N proud]

1. Here is an interesting but scary fact

From the margin of the article:

Missouri's changing birds


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Here are some examples of Missouri birds that have become less common, along with the observed northward shift in their range.

American Ttree Ssparrow (54 miles)
Rough-legged Hhawk (179 miles)
Golden Eeagle (58 miles)
American Bblack Dduck (182 miles)
Black-capped Cchickadee (90 miles)
The following are added: The following areMissouri birds that have become more common, andas well asadded: as well as the observed northward shift in their ranges.

Turkey Vvulture (53 miles)
Eastern Pphoebe (48 miles)
Snow Ggoose (217 miles)
Northern Sshoveler (79 miles)
Marsh Wwren (25 miles)
Source: Audubon Society