A recent study indicated that butterfly populations in America's Lower 48 states have dropped by 22% since 2000, averaging a 1.3% decline per year. Conducted through the analysis of 76,957 surveys from 35 monitoring programs, the findings revealed 114 butterfly species are declining, while only nine show an increase. The situation is dire, particularly for iconic species like the monarch butterfly, which has dwindled drastically. Experts warn that without immediate action, the ongoing trends will lead to a severe loss of biodiversity.
Many species in decline fell by 40% or more, revealing a concerning trend that indicates a troubling future for butterflies across America.
The first countrywide systematic analysis of butterfly abundance shows a declining trend with 114 species significantly reduced and only nine increasing.
In just 30 or 40 years we are talking about losing half the butterflies over a continent! The tree of life is being denuded at unprecedented rates.
Scientists combined nearly 77,000 surveys to determine that butterfly populations have decreased by an average of 1.3% each year since 2000.
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