Ep. 573 - Great Lakes Climate Refugia

Ep. 573 - Great Lakes Climate Refugia

From In Defense of Plants Podcast by In Defense of Plants

April 12, 2026 · 51 min · Episode 573

About this episode

The episode discusses how climate refugia, particularly around Lake Superior, influence plant species distribution and biodiversity in the context of climate change.

Climate refugia can provide unique opportunities for plants (and more) to persist for long periods of time in otherwise inhospitable areas. They have and will continue to shape biodiversity across the globe but understanding them isn't easy. Join me and Dr. Ashley Hillman as we look at how one of the greatest lakes of them all - Lake Superior - has shaped the distribution of Arctic plant species since the Pleistocene and what this can teach us about climate change and species distributions moving into the future. This episode was produced in part by Andy, S Heller, Drewsophila, Sascha, Kim, Tanya, Neil, Matthew, April, Dana, Lilith, Sanza, Eva, Yellowroot, Wisewren, Nadia, Heidi, Blake, Josh, Laure, R.J., Carly, Lucia, Dana, Sarah, Lauren, Strych Mind, Linda, Sylvan, Austin, Sarah, Ethan, Elle, Steve, Cassie, Chuck, Aaron, Gillian, Abi, Rich, Shad, Maddie, Owen, Linda, Alana, Sigma, Max, Richard, Maia, Rens, David, Robert, Thomas, Valerie, Joan, Mohsin Kazmi Photography, Cathy, Simon, Nick, Paul, Charis, EJ, Laura, Sung, NOK, Stephen, Heidi, Kristin, Luke, Sea, Shannon, Thomas, Will, Jamie, Waverly, Brent, Tanner, Rick, Kazys, Dorothy, Katherine, Emily, Theo, Nichole, Paul…

People in this episode

Host: In Defense of Plants

Guest: Dr. Ashley Hillman

Topics covered

  • climate refugia
  • biodiversity
  • Arctic plant species
  • climate change
  • species distribution

Keywords

  • climate refugia
  • Lake Superior
  • biodiversity
  • Arctic plants
  • Pleistocene
  • climate change
  • species distribution

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Lake Superior, Great Lakes

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