Butterflies as canaries in a coal mine: a new global index for insect conservation
Insect populations are declining rapidly worldwide. However, there is a pressing lack of global indicators capable of tracking this decline. Closing this knowledge gap is therefore essential for achieving international nature conservation and policy objectives. A new initiative proposes using butterfly monitoring programmes as the foundation for an effective, global network capable of keeping a close eye on the status of butterflies in particular and insects in general.
To investigate this, an international consortium developed the “Global Butterfly Index”, based on the WWF’s tried-and-tested Living Planet Index methodology. An analysis of 10,386 population trends across 213 butterfly species shows that population decline can be predicted based on specific species characteristics (number of generations, flight period, mobility, etc.). The use of monitoring data paves the way for a standardised global network of monitoring programmes. As butterflies are the best-monitored insects worldwide and enjoy widespread public support, such a monitoring network can serve as an ideal platform for broader insect conservation.
A global structure for butterfly monitoring is more than just science. It is an essential tool for policymakers. It stimulates society’s transition towards a sustainable future by linking monitoring data to butterflies, our canaries in the coal mine.
Image above: monarch butterflies (Shutterstock)