The next Science Café Cleveland event will feature a talk on bird mortality Monday, Aug. 10, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Tasting Room of Great Lakes Brewing Co.
Travis L. DeVault, scientist and leader of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s research facility at Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio, will present “Cats, Cars, Windows and Wind Turbines: Human-induced mortality in wild birds.”
Wild birds provide invaluable ecosystem services, including seed dispersal, plant pollination, pest control and carcass cleanup. Despite these benefits and the aesthetic value of birds to humans, recent research has shown that humans are responsible for billions of bird deaths each year in the U.S. alone.
DeVault will address the magnitude of mortality and discuss priorities and means to reduce this mortality. The goal is to ensure healthy bird populations for future generations.
Limited menu options will be available for purchase during the presentation.
The Case Western Reserve University chapter of Sigma Xi, WCPN ideastream and Great Lakes Brewing Co. will sponsor the event.
More information about the event is available at case.edu/affil/sigmaxi/.