Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print Climate change isolates Rocky Mountain butterflies

Climate change isolates Rocky Mountain butterflies

August 14, 2007

Expanding forests in the Canadian Rocky Mountains are slowly isolating groups of alpine butterflies from each other, which may lead to the extinction of the colourful insects in some areas, says a new study from the University of Alberta.

A rising tree line in the Rockies due to global warming, and a policy not to initiate "prescribed burns" (intentionally started, controlled fires) in order to manage forest growth, has created the tenuous condition for the alpine butterflies, said Jens Roland, a biological scientist at the University of Alberta.




The alpine Apollo butterfly (Parnassius) inhabits open meadows because they, like other types of butterflies, need sunlight to generate enough body heat in order to fly, and forests are generally too shady for them and inhibit their ability to move.

However, expanding forests are pinching off the Parnassius from their neighbors in nearby meadows.

"The risk of local extinction and inbreeding depression will increase as meadows shrink, the population sizes decrease and the populations become more isolated," Roland said.

"The gene pool of this species is getting more and more fragmented, and gene flow is reduced, which means these populations are more vulnerable," he added.

One particularly cold winter or summer season may be enough to wipe out an entire meadow of Parnassius, said Roland, who is the lead author of a paper on this research that appears today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Roland also said the Parnassius are not currently a threatened species, but they and smaller species native to Rocky Mountain meadows, including some insects and rodents, will suffer "several consequences" if forests continue to expand unchecked.

"Often forest management practice is led by the needs of larger species, such as mountain sheep, elk and grizzly bears, while the interests of the smaller species, such as butterflies, are overlooked," he said.

Prescribed burns, which protect and create meadows and generally foster diversity in forests, are undertaken in the Canadian Rocky Mountain national parks but are rare outside of them, Roland said.

Roland has completed earlier studies that showed expanding forests are restricting Parnassius's movements in parts of the Rocky Mountains. He feels his latest study is a natural extension of his previous work.

"It's important to study movement among populations that are becoming more and isolated due to shrinking habitats; but, ultimately, we need to study the population dynamics to find out if the habitat allows the species to reproduce and persist," Roland said.

"This latest study shows that as populations function with less synchrony and become more independent of each other-as we've shown the Parnassius is becoming in certain areas in the Canadian Rockies-the local extinction rate of small populations will increase," he added.

University of Alberta



Related Butterflies Current Events and Butterflies News Articles Butterflies Current Events and Butterflies News RSS Butterflies Current Events and Butterflies News RSS
Fewer honey bee colonies and beekeepers throughout Europe
The number of bee colonies in Central Europe has decreased over recent decades. In fact, the number of beekeepers has been declining in the whole of Europe since 1985. This is the result of a study that has now been published by the International Bee Research Association, which for the first time has provided an overview of the problem of bee colony decline at the European level.

Butterflies Reeling From Impacts of Climate and Development
California butterflies are reeling from a one-two punch of climate change and land development, says an unprecedented analysis led by UC Davis butterfly expert Arthur Shapiro.

Climate change and habitat destruction affect butterfly populations
Butterfly populations in California are declining and, in some cases, moving to higher elevations in the Sierra Nevada due to climate change and loss of habitat, according to a study authored by biologist Matthew Forister, a University of Nevada, Reno assistant professor in the College of Science.

Butterfly proboscis to sip cells
A butterfly's proboscis looks like a straw -- long, slender, and used for sipping -- but it works more like a paper towel, according to Konstantin Kornev of Clemson University. He hopes to borrow the tricks of this piece of insect anatomy to make small probes that can sample the fluid inside of cells.

CU-Boulder Butterfly Payload to Launch Nov. 16 on Space Shuttle
When NASA's space shuttle Atlantis launches for the International Space Station on Nov. 16 it will carry a University of Colorado at Boulder butterfly experiment that will be monitored by thousands of K-12 students across the nation.

New structure discovered in butterfly ears
A clever structure in the ear of a tropical butterfly that potentially makes it able to distinguish between high and low pitch sounds has been discovered by scientists from the University of Bristol.

Panama butterfly migrations linked to El Niño, climate change
A high-speed chase across the Panama Canal in a Boston Whaler may sound like the beginning of another James Bond film-but the protagonist of this story brandishes a butterfly net and studies the effects of climate change on insect migrations at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

Moths cloaked in color
Travelers to the neotropics-the tropical lands of the Americas-might be forgiven for thinking that all of the colorful insects flittering over sunny puddles or among dense forest understory are butterflies.

A question of height
Intelligent countryside management could improve the survival chances of animal and plant species threatened by climate change.

Notre Dame study provides insights into how climate change might impact species' geographic ranges
A new study by a team of researchers led by Jessica Hellmann, assistant professor of biological sciences at the University of Notre Dame, offers interesting insights into how species may, or may not, change their geographic range - the place where they live on earth - under climate change.
More Butterflies Current Events and Butterflies News Articles
BUTTERFLY SPIRAL

BUTTERFLY SPIRAL
by Get Organized

Butterfly spiral adds shimmering serenity to your garden. Laser-engraved butterflies bend and refract sunlight in an ever-changing display of radiant colors asthey spin in the breeze. 21".

Sterling Silver Amethyst Butterfly Pendant, 18"

Sterling Silver Amethyst Butterfly Pendant, 18"
by Amazon.com Collection

Round and marquise-shaped amethyst stones form bright butterfly wings in this charming sterling silver pendant. The stones are held securely in prong settings and frame a silver centerpiece detailed with polished bead accents. Appointed with a split bale, this pendant slides along an 18-inch sterling silver frozantin chain that fastens in back with a spring ring clasp. Amethyst, the birthstone for February, is a gemstone that has been prized by royalty throughout the ages for its regal purple color.

Color Changing Fiber Optic Butterfly Nightlight; Pink Glowing LED Butter Fly Night Light Makes A Great Gift Idea

Color Changing Fiber Optic Butterfly Nightlight; Pink Glowing LED Butter Fly Night Light Makes A Great Gift Idea
by Diva Joy

Here is an Outstanding Fiber Optic Night Light - The Color Changing Fiber Butterfly night light will give you hours of enjoyment. Great as a night light. Color Changing will reflect on the tip of the fiber wing. Just plug into to the wall socket and see it glows. The picture doesn't do it justice as you can't capture the myriad of colors that you see!

A World Of Butterflies

A World Of Butterflies
by Kjell Sandved (Author), Brian Cassie (Author), Robert Michael Pyle (Contributor)

A delightful small-format book that will appeal to butterfly enthusiasts young and old, with vivid images by the leading butterfly photographer and texts by preeminent writers in the field. This chunky small-format gift book-432 pages, hardcover-features exquisite full-page pictures of 200 butterflies from around the world, accompanied by text that is informative and engaging, including essays on butterfly migration, butterflies and the environment, gardening, and watching and collecting butterflies. The selection of butterflies is arranged by location, from the Arctic Circle to rainforests, woodlands, grasslands, and deserts. Species in the book include butterflies from India, Costa Rica, Brazil, Ireland, Russia, New Guinea, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, and many North American...

Hanging Butterfly Set of 6 11" Wide Butterflies

Hanging Butterfly Set of 6 11" Wide Butterflies
by Burton and Burton

Beautiful decor for weddings, Anniversaries, showers, events, and room decor. Add a whimsical touch to your next event or room decorating project.

Puma Foundation Small Sports Bag Duffel,Gray Violet/Butterfly Print,one size

Puma Foundation Small Sports Bag Duffel,Gray Violet/Butterfly Print,one size
by PUMA



Sterling Silver Amethyst Butterfly Earrings

Sterling Silver Amethyst Butterfly Earrings
by Amazon.com Collection

Round and marquise-shaped amethyst stones form bright butterfly wings in these charming sterling silver stud earrings. The stones are held securely in prong settings and frame a silver centerpiece detailed with polished bead accents. Set on posts with friction back closures, these earrings are a sweet accent for everyday wear. Amethyst, the birthstone for February, is a gemstone that has been prized by royalty throughout the ages for its regal purple color.

10-String Fiberoptic Butterfly Strand

10-String Fiberoptic Butterfly Strand
by Creative Motion Industries

Light up a room or window with colorful glowing butterflies. This string of 10 butterflies glows with fiber optics in a range of pastel colors including yellow, peach, pale pink and lavender. Imported. 120L".

From Caterpillar to Butterfly  (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 1)

From Caterpillar to Butterfly (Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Stage 1)
by Deborah Heiligman (Author), Bari Weissman (Illustrator)

A caterpillar comes to school in a jar. The class watches the caterpillar each day as it grows and changes. Soon, it disappears into a hard shell called a chrysalis. Then the chrysalis breaks, and a beautiful butterfly flies out of the jar! This is a perfect beginner's guide to the mystery of metamorphosis.

Outstanding Science Trade Books for Children 1997 (NSTA/CBC)

Live Butterfly Garden

Live Butterfly Garden
by Insect Lore

Witness one of nature's most spectacular transformations up close with this reusable, collapsible habitat. Fine, transparent mesh lets you see butterfly metamorphosis up close. Product includes easy-to-use feeder and complete instructions for habitat. Butterfly larvae with food shipped directly to your home. The habitat collapses for storage when not in use. You can adopt and raise a handful of caterpillars, watch them transform into painted lady butterflies, then lift the garden cover to release your beautiful specimens into the wild. This exciting habitat makes a fabulous introduction to the miracles of nature. The larvae and food available round the year.

© 2010 BrightSurf.com