Last year, the vibrant western monarch butterflies faced a significant setback in California, with their overwintering population declining by 30%. Researchers attribute this drop primarily to unusually wet conditions that disrupted their traditional habitats.
During the Thanksgiving season, dedicated volunteers from California and Arizona joined forces to monitor monarch butterfly populations. According to the Xerces Society, an environmental nonprofit focused on invertebrate conservation, over 230,000 butterflies were counted this year, a sharp decrease from the 330,000 recorded in 2022.
This decline marks a concerning trend, especially considering the monarchs' remarkable recovery in recent years. After plummeting to a historic low of just 2,000 individuals in 2020, the population surged back to hundreds of thousands. However, these numbers still fall short of the millions that graced California in the 1980s.
Experts warn that continued environmental changes, including increased rainfall and habitat loss, could further threaten these iconic insects. The monarch butterfly not only symbolizes natural beauty but also plays a crucial role in pollination and maintaining ecological balance.
Conservation efforts remain critical as communities and organizations work to preserve and restore monarch habitats. By understanding the factors contributing to their decline, stakeholders hope to implement strategies that will ensure these butterflies continue to thrive for generations to come.
Reference(s):
Western monarch butterflies overwintering in California drops by 30%: researchers
cgtn.com
