Monarch butterfly numbers decline sharply in Mexico

A significant drop in monarch butterfly populations in Mexico raises concerns.

Mark Stevenson reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

• Monarch butterflies in Mexico have decreased by 59%, marking the second lowest level on record.
• Experts attribute this decline to climate change effects like heat, drought, and habitat loss.
• While the migration isn't endangered, the significant drop poses a threat to this natural phenomenon.

Key quote:

"It has a lot to do with climate change. The monarchs looked for other sites ... they are looking for lower temperatures."

— Gloria Tavera, conservation director at Mexico’s Commission for National Protected Areas

Why this matters:

The decline of monarch butterflies in Mexico is an indicator of the broader impacts of climate change on biodiversity. This issue is crucial as it reflects the health of our ecosystems, which directly influences global environmental stability and health outcomes.

In 2018, Brian Bienkowski reported that more than 60 million acres of the monarch's US migratory habitat would be sprayed with dicamba.