Why is it tough life to be a butterfly?
What threatens butterflies?
In the landscape, dense bushes and tall grass are spreading. There is a lack of grazing animals that would maintain a mosaic of open grassland, diverse meadows, mature trees, and occasional shrub thickets. Concerning forests, dense tree plantations prevail, which have nothing to do with biodiversity. All this is compounded by inconsiderate agriculture in extensive areas, excessive use of chemicals, and increased amounts of nitrogen oxides in the air originating from agriculture, industry, and combustion engines used in transportation.
A butterfly’s habitat must be diverse. Caterpillars require the presence of their food plants. Adult butterflies, on the other hand, need nectar from flowering plants. In tall grass or dense bushes, they feel like a camel in a jungle and cannot reproduce.
Why do we focus on butterflies?
Butterflies are indicators of a healthy landscape. They quickly and sensitively react to changes in their environment, they show us the state the landscape is in, and whether the human activities there are sustainable. When butterflies start to disappear, it means the landscape is not in a healthy condition.
If butterflies thrive, other pollinators are likely to benefit as well, along with insects in general, plants, and larger animals that feed on insects. In short, everyone benefits. Mowing grass, clearing dense bushes, or grazing animals help lizards, birds, and rare plants. Together, they maintain natural processes in balance, enabling a harmonious life on this planet for us humans as well. Additionally, one-third of the world’s agricultural production directly depends on pollinators.
Well-managed meadows and pastures, along with an appropriate amount of trees and shrubs, are also surprisingly effective at storing carbon. The roots of grasses and other plants capture carbon in the soil, helping to mitigate climate change.
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