Scientists Document Illegal Logging in Monarch Butterfly Reserve by Using Drones and Satellite Photos
By Richard Levine
Today I wrote a guest article for the Oxford University Press Blog.
Richard Levine
The monarch butterfly is famous for its migratory route, which can be as long as 2,500 miles. Unfortunately, the end of its destination is a mountainous part of Mexico that is home to oaks, pines and Oyamel firs, which are valued for their timber. Even though the area is protected, illegal logging operations have been known to occur there.
In April 2015, after Mexican environmentalists reported that such operations were taking place, a group of monarch researchers tried to enter the area to see what was going on, but they were denied permission. So instead they used technology — drones and satellite photos — to document the destruction.
Their story is the subject of an article in American Entomologist.
– Click here to read the Oxford University Press blog post.
Richard Levine is Communications Program Manager at the Entomological Society of America and editor of the Entomology Today Blog.
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Thanks and please do what you can to get publicity for this discovery. The Mexican gov’t needs to be pressured. Maybe greenpeace could do something besides destroy g.e. test p[lots for a change.
Not a big deal because: 1) The actual butterfly cluster trees were not logged, hence although the logging was illegal, it did not actually destroy butterfly cluster tree habitat:
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/a/img921/5843/pNcRke.jpg 2) The cluster area in question (Arroyo Hondo) is not occupied by the butterflies every year; but only once every 3-5 years on average. 3) The logged area was not virgin forest – the region has been selectively logged for centuries. 4) The logged trees will not need to be manually replanted because these forests are well known to regenerate on their own in only 40-50 years.
Paul, if nearby, windbreak and insulating loss could still effect the Monarchs.
The monarchs overwintering in Mexico actually often form their colonies adjacent to logged clearings (patch cuts in the forest) to gain exposure to needed sunlight. Like this: https://www.learner.org/jnorth/images/graphics/mexico/chincua0011.jpg
A you tube video shot in California may well not reflect what is happening in Mexico. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/11/071126-AP-mexico-butterflies.html
In Mexico monarchs gain benefits from nearby forest clear cuts – like drinking water and flower nectar. At the Piedra Herrada overwintering site, for example, the butterflies use a paved road cut through the forest as a pathway to gain access to patches of wet bare ground which were also created by clear cuts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15t0HbLvkqk
And when they use those roads and clear cuts. It is day time and the temps are not threatening. At night they need a protected area. What that minium mass id that is needed for insulation I don’t know. What I do know is that you tube videos are often not science. Did you even read the article I posted. National geographic has done more on this.
40 to 50 years. Even if that was true. 50……years. haha, how could you not feel bit guilty typing that
Monarch overwintering sites are not sacred places…90% of the monarch overwintering sites in California, for example, occur in clumps of imported Australian eucalyptus trees. A busy highway runs through the famous Pismo State Beach overwintering grove: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DESsRsMk4Bs