Survey Uncovers Decline in Butterfly Populations
In August 2023, a team of biologists and park rangers in the Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, deep in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest, embarked on a study of butterfly populations to assess the impact of climate change on these crucial pollinators.
High Biodiversity, Sensitive Indicators
Ecuador, a relatively small country, boasts an astonishing biodiversity, housing approximately 4,000 species of butterfliesâ€"nearly as many as its much larger neighbors Peru and Colombia.
The biologists used 32 blue mesh traps baited with fish and fermented bananas to attract butterflies for monitoring.
They meticulously documented the species and numbers of butterflies, marked them for identification on their wings, and released most back into the wild, retaining only a small number from previously unknown species for further research.
"Bioindicators" of Ecosystem Health
"Butterflies are highly sensitive to even slight changes in their ecosystem," explained biologist Maria Fernanda Checa. Their short lifespans encompass the larval, caterpillar, and reproductive adult stages.
As a result, they serve as "bioindicators," reflecting the health of the ecosystem surrounding them.
Concerning Findings
The results of the study proved alarming: while the number of butterfly species may have declined by a mere 10%, the number of individual butterflies had plummeted by 40-50%.
This decline in butterfly populations underscores the severe impacts climate change can have on ecosystems.
According to the United Nations, 40% of invertebrate pollinatorsâ€"bees and butterflies in particularâ€"are at risk of global extinction, posing significant risks to human populations as well.
Call for Action
The study highlights the urgent need to understand and address the impacts of climate change on the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest.
