A natural resources presentation about a decline in the moose population in northwestern Minnesota is scheduled for 3 p.m. March 20 at the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation, an off-campus facility located at 3801 Bemidji Avenue North.
The presentation, entitled "Parasite-mediated Decline in a Moose Population at the Southern Range Periphery," is open to the public and free of charge.
Presenting will be Gary Huschle, wildlife biologist with Agassiz National Wildlife Refuge in Middle River.
His presentation will summarize the findings of a research project on the northwest Minnesota moose population conducted from 1995 to 1999 which took a comprehensive look at population parameters, pathology and environment to decipher the causes of the dramatic decline in the number of moose during the 1990s.
"After learning about our moose population decline, I found it very interesting to hear about global warming having a negative effect on a tropical frog population by increasing prevalence of a fungal disease," said Huschle.
He anticipates that individuals interested in how the environmental effects of global warming are interacting with wildlife populations will be interested in his presentation as well as natural resource professionals and others who are curious about learning why the moose population has declined.
The talk is part of an on-going series of monthly presentations from the Bemidji Area Natural Resources Continuing Education Consortium. Groups helping organize the natural resources consortium include the BSU Center for Environmental, Earth and Space Studies; the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; Norbord Minnesota; the Chippewa National Forest; Beltrami County; Leech Lake Reservation; Ainsworth; and the Red Lake Reservation.
The CRI was developed by BSU to serve as a conduit between the University, business, industry, non-profits and the general public.
Individuals who wish to be added to a mailing list for the series or who have questions should contact the Center for Research and Innovation, Bemidji State University, 1500 Birchmont Dr. NE, Bemidji, MN 56601 (218-755-4900; toll free, 1-888-738-3224) email, cri@bemidjistate.edu.