Western monarch butterfly population collapses to just 4 in Goleta
- Only 4 monarch butterflies were counted in Goleta this December, down from 34 the month before.
- Factors such as extreme weather, climate change, and pesticide use are believed to have contributed to the decline.
- Conservationists urge public action to create resilient habitats to reverse the decline of monarch butterflies.
In California, particularly at Ellwood Mesa in Goleta, the once vibrant winter gathering of western monarch butterflies has experienced a catastrophic decline. As of December 2024, only four butterflies were counted during a recent survey, a staggering reduction from previous years where counts reached between 10,000 to 15,000. The previous month's count had recorded just 34 butterflies, indicating a sharp downward trend for the species. Several factors are attributed to this alarming decline, including climate changes such as extreme heat and storms that disrupt migration patterns and kill off adult butterflies. City of Goleta Parks and Open Space Manager George Thomson highlighted the impact of severe weather, stating that early departures by monarchs along with significant storm activity had compounded the problems. This past July in California was recorded as the hottest July in history, which adversely affected various wildlife, including the monarchs' breeding habitat in the Great Basin region. Furthermore, prolonged drought conditions have created a challenging environment for the butterflies, exacerbating their diminished numbers. Emily Doyle from the California State Parks Foundation also pointed to the role of pesticide use in the butterflies' decline. There is growing concern that chemical treatments used in agriculture and gardening are contributing significantly to decreasing populations. The circumstances surrounding their survival underscore the urgency of addressing climate-related issues and ecosystem health. Doyle emphasized the importance of creating climate-resilient habitats for the butterflies, suggesting that planting nectar plants and milkweed can aid their survival. These actions, along with protecting critical overwintering sites along the Californian coast, are essential to help stabilize the population and ensure that monarchs can return to these habitats annually. The stark numbers observed in Goleta signal not just a local crisis but a broader, concerning trend reflective of a climate emergency impacting various species across the state.