The magic of monarch butterflies, with their delicate wings and epic multigenerational journey, is fading away as habitat loss and climate change threaten their survival. Eduardo Rendón-Salinas, a biologist with over 30 years of experience studying monarch butterflies, explains in an opinion piece for CNN Español that this species is not just special for its beauty and importance as pollinators, but also because it presents opportunities for addressing environmental challenges through individual and collective action.
The monarch butterfly’s epic journey spans thousands of miles, from Southern Canada and Northern United States to the oyamel forests in Central Mexico, where they hibernate for the winter. However, the degradation of the forests in Mexico, mainly due to logging, has reduced their hibernation sites, while land conversion in the US and Canada has reduced their reproductive and feeding habitats. The use of herbicides and pesticides has also decreased the only plant, milkweed, where female monarch butterflies lay their eggs, and the only source of food for baby caterpillars, causing the population to decline.
According to a report from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the presence of monarch butterflies in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico decreased by 22% in just one year, from 2.8 hectares to just 2.2 hectares, far from the 18 hectares they covered a quarter of a century ago. The report highlights that a healthy migration and extensive and prosperous forests allow monarch butterflies to reproduce and feed throughout their odyssey.
The decline in monarch butterfly populations poses a threat not only to their incredible migration but also to the benefits they offer us at no cost. The millions of migrating butterflies collect nectar from flowers and spread pollen along the way, playing a crucial role in the natural systems that support our agricultural structure. Approximately 80% of the fruits and vegetables we eat depend on pollinators like monarch butterflies, making their preservation a matter of food security and environmental sustainability.
Rendón-Salinas stresses the need for individual and collective action to save this charismatic and vital species. Residents in the US and Canada can help monarch butterflies and other pollinators complete their migrations by planting milkweed and nectar plants in their gardens, community centers, or workplaces. It is essential to verify which milkweed species are appropriate for each region before planting. Additionally, all sectors of society must come together to address the systemic and large-scale problems that make the planet less hospitable for monarch butterflies and many other species, including humans. Governments and companies should implement concrete action plans based on the best available science to stabilize the climate and restore our wild spaces.
The challenging situation of the eastern migratory monarch butterfly is a stark reminder of the delicate balance within our ecosystems and the interconnection of all living beings. As we celebrate Earth Day, let us commit to preserving these charming creatures and the invaluable role they play in our world.
<< photo by icon0.com >>
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