No mention though of the “adopt a wolverine” program that has proven so popular with polar bears and NGO’s looking for cold cash from the gullible. I guess they just aren’t cuddly enough. According to Wikipedia:
“The world’s total wolverine population is unknown.”
The Wildlife Conservation Society reported in June 2009 that a wolverine which researchers had been tracking for almost three months had crossed into northern Colorado. Society officials had tagged the young male wolverine in Wyoming near Grand Teton National Park and it had traveled southward for approximately 500 miles. It was the first wolverine seen in Colorado since 1919, and its appearance was also confirmed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
Here are some photos of wolverines in northern California in 2008 near Tahoe.
And again in 2009. They say that “Wolverines have not been scientifically confirmed in California since the 1920s.” With a former range like that, I suppose they won’t have trouble adapting to a warmer place. Last time I checked, it was warmer in Colorado and California than in Canada.
Wolverines have been seen in Michigan in the last decade too, the first time in 200 years.
Nature is pretty darn tough, very adaptable, and the wolverine is no exception. IMO, the bigger threat, like with bears, is clashes with human developments. I just don’t buy the claim of this study, note the weasel words “highly uncertain” in the highlighted portion of the press release.
=============================================================
From NCAR/UCAR: Wolverine population threatened by climate change
BOULDER—The aggressive wolverine may not be powerful enough to survive climate change in the contiguous United States, new research concludes.
Wolverine habitat in the northwestern United States is likely to warm dramatically if society continues to emit large amounts of greenhouse gases, according to new computer model simulations carried out at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). The study found that climate change is likely to imperil the wolverine in two ways: reducing or eliminating the springtime snow cover that wolverines rely on to protect and shelter newborn kits, and increasing August temperatures well beyond what the species may be able to tolerate.
“Species that depend on snow cover for their survival are likely to be very vulnerable to climate change,” says NCAR scientist Synte Peacock, the author of the study. “It’s highly uncertain whether wolverines will continue to survive in the lower 48, given the changes that are likely to take place there.”
Peacock’s research focused on mountainous regions of the Northwest, the primary habitat of the wolverine population in the contiguous United States. The study did not look into the impacts of climate change on regions where wolverines are more numerous, such as Canada, although other research has indicated those areas will likely warm significantly as well.
The study was published last week in Environmental Research Letters. It was funded by the National Science Foundation, NCAR’s sponsor.
An animal built for the cold
Wolverines make their home mainly in the boreal forests and tundra regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Their thick, oily fur insulates them from frost and large padded paws help them run through deep snow. While some 15,000 or more wolverines are believed to roam Canada and an unknown number in Alaska, only a few dozen to a few hundred are believed to live in the contiguous United States, almost entirely in mountainous areas in Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and Washington.
Wolverines inhabit regions that have late-season snow cover and relatively cool summer temperatures. Female wolverines make their springtime dens in the snow, which provides warmth to the newborn kits and protects them from predators.
Biologists are dubious that the species could survive in regions with little spring snow or significantly higher summertime temperatures. Concerned over habitat loss and the potential threat of climate change, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced in December 2010 that the wolverine warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act, but delayed that protection because other species took higher priority.
To project the future climate in regions of the contiguous United States where wolverines live, Peacock analyzed results from new simulations carried out by a team of researchers at NCAR using the newest version of the Community Climate System Model (which was developed by scientists at the Department of Energy and NCAR with colleagues at other organizations). She analyzed three scenarios of greenhouse gas emissions: low (carbon dioxide emissions stay at present-day levels until 2020 and then decline to zero by the early 2080s); medium-low (emissions rise slightly until 2040 and then decline sharply toward the end of the century); and high (emissions continue to increase unabated).
In the high emissions scenario, the computer simulations showed spring snow cover nearly or completely vanishing during the second half of this century in present-day wolverine habitat. Similarly, spring snow cover in the medium-low scenario became greatly diminished, with many years experiencing zero snow cover. Under the low emissions scenario, springtime snow cover conditions remained similar to those of the present day.
The computer projections also showed that August temperatures may increase dramatically. Whereas August temperatures currently top off at about 72 degrees F (22 degrees C) in areas where wolverines live, maximum daily temperatures by the end of the century were projected to frequently exceed 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) under the two higher-emissions scenarios.
“Unless the wolverine is able to very rapidly adapt to summertime temperatures far above anything it currently experiences, and to a spring with little or no snow cover, it is unlikely that it will continue to survive in the contiguous U.S. under a high or medium-low emissions scenario,” the study concludes.
The model simulations also indicated the extent to which climate change may transform the West, where society depends on mountain snowpack. This critical source of water could decrease by a factor of three to four over Idaho, western Montana, and western Wyoming by the end of this century under the high emissions scenario. Even under the medium-low emissions scenario, snowpack could drop by a factor of two to three in these regions.
Peacock checked the accuracy of the model by comparing simulations of late 20th century climate with observations. Results indicated that the model did a good job simulating climate conditions in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Since the model tended to underestimate snowpack in Washington, Peacock did not include that state in the study.
About the article
Title: Projected 21st century climate change for wolverine habitats within the contiguous United States
Author: Synte Peacock
Publication: Environmental Research Letters, January 27, 2011
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didn’t the study claim no wolverines in California since the 1920’s ? so if we are seeing them now doesn’t that mean they are moving south ? seems like they are seeing cooling not warming …
I remember reading a story about a wolverine which went to a new zoo. It’s cage wasn’t ready so they put it in with the polar bears while they finished up. When they came back, it had killed one of the polar bears. With a threat like this to an endangered species, you’d think that they would want to kill them off!
Also, which predator are they worried about getting at the wolverine cubs?
Goosh, but aren’t them little rascal wolverines in luck then to get down and dirty under all the snow they’ll have now the warmer it gets.
It is discouraging that these armchair scientists are continually willing to take public money to produce ‘studies’ based on completely unwarranted and unverified assumptions, amplified by speculative computer modeling.
Well, the snow on the ground is so high here in eastern Massachusetts that the squirrels can easily jump to the top of the squirrel baffle on the bird feeder, and snack to their hearts’ content. From this anecdotal observation, a fairly simple model will enable me to conclude that a little more global cooling will do wonders for the grey squirrel population—assuming, of course, that humans will continue to fill the bird feeders.
/Mr Lynn
Wolverines:
Patrick Swayze Dead
Charlie Sheen Rehab on the way to dead
Lea Thompson ?
Jennifer Grey Dancing with the Stars (may as well be dead)
C. Thomas Howell ?
Brad Savage ?
Darren Dalton ?
My research seems to agree with this study. The Wolverines are all either dead, dying or missing.
Bob B says:
I am putting the final touches on a computer model that is showing a likely increase in chess playing among Wolverines due to the increase in consumption of diet soda among teenage girls.
Make sure it’s a box model so it will be easy to understand. And remember: points off for fidelity to the real world.
I have the pleasure of working in the Pine Pass area of British Columbia,witin known Wolverine habitat,near Azouzetta lk and Powder King . 550 23′ 39.44″N 122 37′ 25.86″
It is very rare to see a Wolverine,in the flesh.You do however come across various “signs” of them witin an area.If they are being witnessed I would venture out on a limb and say that there is more than the one.
I have a problem with this researcher stating that the Wolverines will decline due to
“Lack of snow couver for their young.” I have witnessed Wolverine’s using bear dens, as well as abandoned trappers cabins, for this purpose.
As far as predators go ,well ,as far as I know man is the only creature willing or stupid enough to tangle with a Wolverine.
“the computer simulations showed spring snow cover nearly or completely vanishing during the second half of this century”
For three years warmists have stated AGW causes severe snowstorms, don’t these people talk to each other?
I am not suprised about the delayed protection under the Endangered Species Act, the wolverine fails all of the three C’s of conservation, Cute, Cuddly and Cumbersome.
Dear god, it’s worse than we thought. The University of Michigan sports teams will have to come up with a new nickname pretty soon. Hopefully before the Himalayan glaciers melt away.
This is a case of finding them where they were looking for them. I have seen wolverines in eastern Montana in the Milk River drainage. Might as well blame GW for the fate of the blackfooted ferret as well.
Montag
February 4, 2011 at 7:22 am
Why contact the author? The study alone proves she is a moron who knows nothing about wolverine biology. Anyways, most regulars here already know who she is. Anyone who actually studies wolverine, believes the prognosis for their future is pretty bright. This study is an incredibly obvious attempt to get pal-reviewed studies published in pseudo-scientific political advocacy journals to give support for an attempt to get Gulo gulo declared endangered as a means to farther the greeny anti-human agenda, despite massive amount of evidence too the contrary. Anyone whose brain has not been damaged by lefty idiocy can see this. BTW, the drive to get Gulo gulo delclared endangered has been going on for a few years now, but has run into a snag. Many of the Gulo gulo experts aren’t playing ball. That is why they have to call on political hacks with fault computer models for help.
I’m a 65 year old, aircraft engineer who retired from the Army 5 years ago, after 34 years service. I’ve now decided to come out of retirement to become a climate change “scientist”, because I can “make it up as I go along” every bit as well as any of the AGW brigade! Any takers?
TomLT
February 4, 2011 at 7:29 am
I rather expect this one will be a hard sell. Wolverine’s are not cute and cuddly and they have a rather aggressive reputation. Not exactly a good poster animal to elicit sympathy and pathos.
###
I don’t know if this is entirely accurate. A lot of people love the wolverine. I sure do. They are one of my favorite critters, right next to ol’ C. latrans. The only problem I see, is that most of us, who like wolverines are rather like them in disposition, not the type of people to rally around a fallacious cause.
It’s pretty sad what passes off as “research” these days. It’s just speculation based on an alleged correlation….
The lower 48 is their extreme lower habitat, they have never been “common” in the lower 48. They are circumpolar and are in no danger of extinction in their normal habitat.
It goes against the myth, but they do make excellent pets.
I stopped reading when I got to the “no wolverines in Colorado” BS. I’ve got a photo of a wolverine in Colorado that was taken in 1997. And then in 2006 I just missed a photo of another one near Stoney Pass. I also have photogtaphic proof of at least one grizzly that was taken on Cochetopa Creek in ’97.
One of the things most people don’t realize is that the environmental organizations either send out blind people to do wildlife counts – or they cook the books to minimize the numbers and exxagerate the “threat”. I’ve run into this all over the Rockies, from the Mexican border to Mt Robson in Canada, as well as in the East.
Are they really endangered if a little farther into suitable habitat there historically normal or robust populations?
There seems to be a pattern of declaring the far reaches of a critter’s range critical habitat and the critter endangered because there aren’t abundant populations there. By definition that is why it is the edge if their range.
Examples that come to mind are the spotted owl and the wolf. The spotted owl is rare in WA state, but common in Mexico. Likewise the world is not short on wolves, but here in WI they are endangered.
Maybe we need to look at overall populations when declaring something endangered, not just populations in marginal areas of their range.
Glen Shevlin says:
February 4, 2011 at 6:31 am
“Wolverine…. basically a 40 pound weasel with an attitude that the Pitsburgh Steelers defence aspires to attain…..
Interesting that the climate change proponants always seem to select really nasty carnivores as their poster children, Polar bears… 1500 lbs of walk/swimming appetite, wolverines, probably the nastiest critter on the planet… whats next canabalistic tribespeople from some southern pacific island.”
Around here (Northern WI) you can add timber wolves, cougars, and badgers to that list of mean protected critters. I have actually had a badger charge me while I was going down the road on my motorcycle. That is a mean critter.
Super villains and Hydra in all its evilness can’t kill off Wolverine so I doubt that global warming is going to make much of in impression.
😀
This woman seems to know a lot more about the future climate than she does about wolverines. Hmmmm.
So, the entire jist of the article is that manmade climate warming will negatively affect the Wolverines.
Why, then, does the article refer to “Climate Change” rather than ” Anthropogenic Global Warming”?
There’s more than one weasel in this story…
DesertYote says:
February 4, 2011 at 8:09 am
You have provided absolute proof that you do not have a skeptical mind.
We must stop planting radishes. As I heard as a youth “Why do they plant radishes around buckwheat fields?” “To keep the wolverines out. Have you ever a wolverine in a buckwheat field? It’s because they plant radishes around them”.
This type of thinking seems to be evident with this study too.
Mike O
February 4, 2011 at 7:49 am
I remember reading a story about a wolverine which went to a new zoo. It’s cage wasn’t ready so they put it in with the polar bears while they finished up. When they came back, it had killed one of the polar bears. With a threat like this to an endangered species, you’d think that they would want to kill them off!
Also, which predator are they worried about getting at the wolverine cubs?
###
Wolverine are the only animals that are documented as taking kills from a Brown bears. If I remember correctly, in a straight on fight, they have a 50% chance of driving the bear off.
“..Wolverines threatened by global warming”
This is probably ‘news’ to Michigan…. but the Wisconsin Badgers and the Ohio Buckeyes surely approve!
};>)
(For our non US readers, the sports teams from Michigan University are referred to as ‘Wolverines’, after their University mascot. The University teams referenced above are all in the “Big Ten Conference” of collegiate athletics competition.)
Wolverines are cool. They have adapted to climate change in the past, they continue to do so today. I’m sure tired of the “______ is threatened by Climate Change” stories we hear so frequently. We still hear these things, who is still paying for them?