Introduction

White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a deadly wildlife disease caused by the invasive fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans that was accidentally introduced to North America. Since its arrival, WNS has killed millions of hibernating bats and fundamentally altered winter bat populations across the continent. Like many fungi, this one thrives in specific conditions, growing most rapidly in cool, humid environments such as caves or mines that bats use for hibernation. 

Objectives

Carp Lake Mine, located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, maintains stable winter temperature around 7.5 °C, conditions that support bat hibernation but also promote fungal growth.

Through a collaborative effort between Michigan Technological University, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, we are implementing a targeted microclimate manipulation experiment within a controlled section of the mine. 

Using a fan-and-duct system, we are introducing cold ambient air into a localized treatment area to reduce internal temperatures by several degrees Celsius. The goal is to shift conditions away from the fungus's thermal optimum while remaining within the physiological tolerance range of hibernating bats. 

This intervention represents a management-oriented test of whether strategic microclimate modification can reduce fungal growth pressure and improve overwinter survival in affected bat populations.