The number of western monarch butterflies overwintering in California has dropped by 30 percent, according to researchers from the Xerces Society, an environmental nonprofit focused on the conservation of invertebrates. Volunteers who visited sites in California and Arizona around Thanksgiving counted more than 230,000 butterflies, down from 330,000 in 2022. This significant decline is likely due to unusually wet weather conditions in the region.
The population of these iconic orange and black insects has rebounded in recent years after plummeting to a record low of just 2,000 butterflies in 2020. Despite the rebound, current numbers remain well below the millions recorded in the 1980s, highlighting ongoing environmental challenges.
This decline not only affects North America but also raises global concerns about environmental conservation and biodiversity. The monarch butterfly’s plight serves as a reminder of the fragility of ecosystems worldwide, including those across Asia. Asian nations, rich in biodiversity, face similar challenges in protecting migratory species and preserving natural habitats amid climate change and urbanization.
Environmentalists urge international cooperation to address these issues, emphasizing that the decline of one species can have ripple effects on global ecosystems. Conservation efforts, habitat restoration, and sustainable practices are vital steps that countries worldwide, including those in Asia, can take to protect their native species and contribute to global biodiversity.
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Western monarch butterflies overwintering in California drops by 30%: researchers
cgtn.com
