UPI - Aspen sunflower warns of global warming

[tex-wyo-dem]

Aspen sunflower warns of global warming
MOUNT HOOD, Ore., Sept. 19 (UPI) -- A U.S. biologist says the Aspen sunflower of the Rocky Mountains could be a "canary in the mine," warning of the consequences of global warming.

University of Maryland Biology Professor David Inouye says the buds of aspen sunflowers have been killed by frost in each of the past seven years, meaning they aren't producing flowers, and, therefore, not producing seeds.

Inouye says the increasing frequency of frost damage appears to be a consequence of climate change. Specifically, the decline in winter snowfall and increasing spring temperatures are causing plants to begin growth earlier in the spring, and then to have sensitive flower buds at the time, in mid-June, when its still likely to see hard frosts.

"The reduction in flowers means that there are fewer resources (nectar and pollen) for pollinator species such as bumble bees, for herbivores such as deer and elk that eat some of the flowers, for seed predators whose larvae eat some of the developing seeds, and for the parasitic insects that prey upon the seed predators or pollinators," said Inouye.

He will discuss his research during the Mountain Climate Sciences Conference, being held through Friday in Mount Hood, Ore.

http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/view.php?StoryID=20060919-030934-9137r

[jeffreyi]

1. Checked the conference website

And they have a web broadcast too...neat! Saves some travel. On the other hand...Mt. Hood, and the Timberline Lodge...are well worth travelling for! Looking at the agenda, there are more than a few very worthwhile presentations. Might be able to catch some of it today, at work.

Website for the conference:

http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/mtnclim/

[tex-wyo-dem]

2. Thanks! I'll check this out. (n/t)