The world's glaciers are falling victim to a warming planet. Join Ira in this hour of Science Friday for a conversation with author Mark Bowen and scientist Lonnie Thompson, who travels the world documenting shrinking mountain glaciers.

Plus, scientists discover a lost world in New Guinea. An expedition to the Foja mountain range in western New Guinea captured photos of several new species of birds, 20 new frog species, and four new butterfly species in the remote area.

The researchers from Conservation International also spotted a rare bird, the Berlepsch's Six-wired Bird of Paradise, last seen almost a century ago, and unusual plants, including rhododendrons with flowers six inches across. We'll talk with one of the explorers about the trip, and about the challenges in preserving such ecological treasures.

Call in with your questions and comments at 1-800-989-8255 (3-4 Eastern). Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids' Connection.

Guests:
Bruce Beehler
Vice President, Melanesia Center for Biodiversity Conservation
Conservation International
Washington, DC

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Mark Bowen
Author, "Thin Ice: Unlocking the Secrets of Climate in the World's Highest Mountains" (Henry Holt, 2005)
Boston, Massachusetts

Lonnie Thompson
Distinguished University Professor
Senior Research Scientist, Byrd Polar Research Center
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio

Books/Articles Discussed:

"Thin Ice: Unlocking the Secrets of Climate in the World's Highest Mountains" by Mark Bowen. Henry Holt, 2005.

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This segment produced by Karin Vergoth