Announcement: Soup and Sandwich Seminar: Global Change: Effects Of Habitat Fragmentation On Biodiversity

Presenter: Dr. Pam Kittelson, Biology Department

Wednesday, February 6, 2019, 11:30 a.m., Melva Lind Interpretive Center

The news about global change has focused predominantly on climate. However, humans also change ecosystems via habitat fragmentation. For example, over 99% of native tallgrass prairie habitat in North America has been subject to habitat fragmentation and land conversion, and over 77% of all habitats have been altered by humans. During conversion, native habitats shrink in size and contiguous areas become islands in a sea of agriculture or human development. In fragmented areas, populations numerically decrease and become isolated, both can increase the probability of extinction. Dr. Kittelson also will discuss research that she and her students have done about the effect of habitat fragmentation on plant populations, specifically on the ramifications to genetic diversity and a species capacity to make a living. While their focus has been on local or regional plant species, our results have implications for how habitat fragmentation may affect other species and populations. She also will offer ways humans can work to minimize fragmentation and its negative effects.

RESERVATION AND PRE-PAYMENT REQUIRED

*Meal served at 11:30am. Talk begins at 12:00 p.m. and is over by 1:00 p.m.

Cost is $8 for Arboretum Members, $9 for non-members.

Credit card: Go to gustavustickets.com or call the Ticketing Office at 933-7590 to register.

Check: Mail to Shirley Mellema, Linnaeus Arboretum, 800 West College Ave., St. Peter, MN 56082

Questions? Please contact arboretum@gustavus.edu or call 933-6181.

Sponsored by: LINNAEUS ARBORETUM