The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, located in the states of Mexico and Michoacan, was created in 1986 with a surface area of 16,110 hectares. Recently, and as a result of the lack of operational efficiency of the protected area, different groups requested a review of the decree. ‘, ‘
Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Photo: Sergio Nolasco
The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, located in the states of Mexico and Michoacan, was created in 1986 with a surface area of 16,110 hectares. Recently, and as a result of the lack of operational efficiency of the protected area, different groups requested a review of the decree. In 2000, after various periods of consultation and conciliation of interests, the limits of the area were redefined to include 56,259 hectares. The protected area is made up of three nuclear zones with a total surface area of 13,551 ha, as well as two buffer zones of 42,707 ha.
Elevations in the Reserve range from 7,800 to 11,800 feet (2,400 to 3,600 meters) above sea level. Climate is temperate sub-humid with summer rains. Average annual temperature is from 46 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (8 to 22 Celsius), and average annual precipitation varies from 27 to 49 inches (700 to 1,250 millimeters). The dominant vegetation includes conifers and different types of associations such as Sacred fir (Abies religiosa), pine (Pinus pseudostrobus, P. rudis, P. teocote), oak (Quercus laurina, Q. rugosa, Q. castanea) and cedar (Cupresus lindley).
Wildlife within the Reserve is very important. There are 132 documented species of birds, 56 species of mammals, four amphibians and six reptiles. However, perhaps the most impressive is the prolific presence of the Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus). It was because of this species that it was decided to protect this area in the 1980\’s.
The species
During the spring and summer months, from April to September, the Monarch butterfly experiences a seasonal population explosion, which coincides with the abundance of milkweeds (Asclepiadaceae family). During this period, populations increase by hundreds of millions of individuals, from southern Canada and northern United States. Each fall these insects hold their reproductive physiology to migrate up to 3,000 miles in order to avoid the harsh northern winter. There is one sub-population that migrates from the west toward sites along the California coast. Another one does it from the east and through the Rocky mountains. The large majority of these small but impressive insects migrates east to wintering sites in the tall fir forests of the Neovolcanic Transversal Axis of the Mexican states of Michoacan and Mexico. The mountains where these butterfly colonies arrive have elevations from 9,800 to 11,500 feet (3,000 to 3,500 meters). Within the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve five main sanctuaries have been identified: Sierra Chincua, Sierra del Campanario, Sierra Chivati, Cerro Pelon, and Cerro Altamirano. Here, the butterflies remain for five months and then return to recolonize their reproduction sites on the northern part of the continent.
The main natural causes of death for the butterflies in their wintering sites include: freezing due to below cero (Celsius) temperatures, exposure to wind on open sites during the night, and storms that can severely damage the colonies. Another cause is the low reserve of fats they have for the winter, as well as body temperatures above 77oF (25oC) caused by their activity and burning of fats. There are also natural predators, such as birds and small mammals.
But the biggest impacts on the butterfly are caused by human beings, specifically logging activities for both timber and wood pulp. Logging destroys wintering sites. As the forest cover diminishes, so do the butterflies. They are increasingly exposed to sunstroke, extreme temperatures, and damage from storms and severe weather. Fires lit to clear land for both cattle and agriculture are another threat to the butterfly. They are forced to expend precious energy to flee these fires, and in the process risk over-burning of fats and exposure to frostbite and well as predation. Tourism is another activity that, in the absence of proper controls, can be a source of disturbance and serious risks to the species.
Actions
In 2000, after expanding the Reserve, the Fund for the Conservation of the Monarch Butterfly (Fondo para la Conservación de la Mariposa Monarca, FCMM) was created with financial assistance from various groups, including the Packard Foundation in the U.S., the Mexican federal government, and the state governments of Mexico and Michoacan. Together they donated 6.5 million dollars, administered by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature. The aim is to use these resources to change the attitudes of landowners, disbursing direct payments in exchange of not cutting the forests.
Under this same conservation strategy, a monitoring system through aerial photography has been implemented to verify the conservation status of the forests. Other conservation schemes with community participation include patrolling, fire prevention, and watershed management and restoration.
Current situation
Over the past three years (2000-2003), deforestation in these areas has increased and it seems to be accelerating. In spite of constant charges from local communities and NGOs against the loggers, these activities have not decreased, and state and local officials have failed to stop the offenders.
Earlier this year (2004), the WWF published in their website an article entitled \”Illegal Logging and its Effects on the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve\”, which concluded that between 2001-2004 the park had lost at least 370 hectares of buffer zone land and 141 hectares of protected land within the Reserve. Of the 28 communities where loggers have had an impact, 23 are located within the nuclear zone of the Reserve, which represents a serious threat for the species. Besides, this violates the 2000 Presidential Decree that prohibits cutting trees in this area.
Aerial photographs taken between 2001 and 2003 clearly show that the wooded forest area has significantly decreased in the Francisco Serrato ejido. As was previously stated, the destruction of only a few trees can have negative effects of the butterfly colonies. This leads us to believe that illegal logging of this magnitude in such a short time can have irreversible effects.
Aerial photographs of forest cover affected by illegal logging as part of the monitoring activities by WWF-Mexico during 2001-2003 in the Francisco Serrato ejido.
Different levels of society are fighting to preserve this natural heritage. For their part, the communities and landowners have obtained support to dig large trenches in the logging roads leading to forested zones in an attempt to stop the loggers. Their reports of illegalities to different local and federal authorities add up to more than 40, but they have not been responded to in any clear or timely manner.
Construction of trenches in roads used for logging. Photo: WWF- Mexico
Last July the Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources announced an investment of over 180 million pesos (about 18 million US dollars) to support the development of the Reserve and to confront the issue of illegal logging. In turn, the Federal Office of Protection of the Environment (PROFEPA), stated that it has installed one of the most sophisticated systems of radio communication and monitoring in the forest of the Monarch Reserve. The system will allow inspectors to be in constant contact with the federal, state, and municipal authorities, as well as with the National System of Public Safety. The project consists of 29 video cameras and 300 state of the art satellite radios worth over 41 million pesos (about 4.1 million US dollars).
The NGO S.O.S. Tierra, among others, organized a reforestation project. Photo: Gerardo Carreón
Other efforts from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been occurring in parallel on sites affected by deforestation. The most recent case was held in the area of El Llano, Temascaltepec Municipality, Mexico. There, they replanted an area of 20 hectares with approximately 22,000 trees. The event was organized by Grupo Operación Ecológica S.O.S. Tierra, along with representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UNESCO, and local organizations including Naturalia and ParksWatch.
Reforestation in the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. What we can be sure of is that it is in the interest of the civil society to recover the lost forests and maintain within our territory this small but but formidable traveler, the Monarch Butterfly.
There is a great challenge ahead for the near future of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. Although the financial resources made available so far to face the threats are considerable, they don\’t ensure an easy solution to the problems, in particular the illegal logging. This is true especially since during the last years there has not been a true political will to resolve these problems.
\r\nThe current conditions of the Reserve are serious. This is a time when actions that are taken today will make a difference in the future of this natural heritage and the legacy to future generations. Society has to become active participants and demand the implementation of laws, as well as a government pledge to protect the natural resources that belong to all Mexicans.
References
1. Calvert, H. W., Malcolm, B. S., Glendenning, I. J., Brower, P. L., Zalucki, P. M., Van Hook, T., Anderson, B. J, y Snook, C. L. 1989. Vida Silvestre Neotropical. 2(1): 38-48.
2. CONANP. 2001. Programa de Manejo Reserva de la Biosfera Mariposa Monarca. 159 pp.
3. http://www.semarnat.gob.mx/wps/portal/.cmd/cs/.ce/155/.s/1555/_s.155/1441
4. http://www.wwf.org.mx/wwfmex/n_010604_talaMariposa.php
ParksWatch-Mexico, Gerardo Carreón, September 2004