A recent study in the journal Science highlights a significant decline in butterfly populations in the United States, showing a 22% reduction over two decades across 554 species. Researchers examined 12.6 million butterfly records from 76,000 surveys and noted that one-third of species have declined annually. Hotter, dryer regions suffered the most, while trends mirror similar losses globally. Factors contributing to this decline include climate change, habitat loss, and pesticide use, impacting butterfly migration patterns and habitats.
"Comparable declines are being recorded in all European nations where rigorous monitoring has occurred. Similar losses are no doubt occurring globally wherever land-use is intensifying."
"The main driver of butterfly declines is intensive modern land use. Modern agriculture eliminates almost all of the native flora which butterflies require for breeding and feeding."
Collection
[
|
...
]