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Innovative Solutions for Monarch Butterfly Migration
Monarch butterflies are renowned as some of the most remarkable migratory insects on Earth. Each autumn, a new generation of these striking orange and black creatures emerges in the northern regions of the United States and southern Canada. They embark on an incredible journey, flying to their wintering grounds in Central Mexico, covering distances between 2,485 and 2,982 miles. To support this challenging migration process, researchers have initiated a project to establish new overwintering habitats along the slopes of a Mexican volcano. This innovative approach is detailed in a study published on October 18 in Frontiers in Forests and Global Change.
[Related:[Related:[Related:[Related:Create a Butterfly-Friendly Garden.]
The Importance of Sacred Fir Trees
During winter months, monarch butterflies seek refuge among the high-altitude forests dominated by sacred fir trees (Abies religiosa). Unfortunately, these vital habitats are increasingly threatened by climate change as rising temperatures force these trees to migrate upwards along mountain slopes. Projections indicate that by approximately 2090, suitable growing conditions may become scarce for these trees unless new forest areas are established at higher elevations beyond their current range.
A New Approach: Assisted Migration
“Our research demonstrates that it is feasible to cultivate new sacred fir forests on Nevado de Toluca volcano at altitudes ranging from 3,400 to 4,000 meters [11,154 to 13,123 feet],” stated Cuauhtémoc Sáenz-Romero from Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo in Mexico and co-author of the study.
“We refer to this method as ‘assisted migration,’ where we plant seedlings derived from existing populations into areas predicted to have climates similar to current overwintering sites by 2060 due to global warming.”
h3>The Seedling Cultivation Process
p class=’article-paragraph skip’>In an effort initiated back in2017, researchers collected seeds from eight strands of sacred fir located within Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve (MBBR), situated at elevations between 10,170 and 11,482 feet above sea level.
For two years following seed collection,
they nurtured seedlings within a shade-house positioned at an altitude of approximately6 ,233 feet before transferring them into a nursery located at9 ,842 feet.
h3>The Transplantation Efforts
p class=’article-paragraph skip’>In July2021, scientists successfully transplanted these seedlings across four distinct sites along the northeastern slope of Nevado de Toluca volcano—chosen for its proximity yet significantly higher elevation compared with MBBR.
[Related:[Related:[Related:[Related:Monarch Butterflies’ Color Patterns Could Inspire Better Drone Design.]
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The Seedlings Were Planted At Four Altitudes–11 ,154 ,11 ,811 ,12 ,467 And13 ,123 Feet . The Latter Elevation Is The Timberline Of Nevado De Toluca And Was Included So That The Team Could Find The Highest Elevation At Which Sacred Firs Can Survive In Today’s Climate . Every Two Months Between September2021 And December2023,the Team Measured Each Seedling’s Performance Namely Its Survival Height And Diameter .
Researchers Found That Performance Survival Growth Worsened When Seedlings Were Transplanted To Sites Colder Higher Than Original Stand In MBBR.At Highest Altitude Of13123 Feet Growth Was Approximately Nil Many Showed Frost Damage However Between11811 And12467 Feet Seedlings Had54 Percent Less Vertical Growth27 Percent Less Biomass27 Percent Less Survival Baseline11154 Feet.According Authors This Survival Very Acceptable.
These Planted Stands Ultimately Serve As Overwintering Sites For Monarch Butterflies Under Warmer Climates Concluded Sáenz-Romero.In Fact Monarch Butterflies Established New Large Colonies Colder Places WithinNevado DeTolucasuggests They Already Searching New Places Overwinter Historic Sites InsideMBBR Now Too Warm.Once OurSeedlings Fully Grown Hopefully Discover OurPlantingsite Too.
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