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Monday , 27 May 2019
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Butterflies are now endangered: How does the future look without butterflies?


Fluttering through the blue sky, those tiny colourful butterflies might look like just another miracle of nature but they hold a value much more than we could ever understand. Lately, these aesthetically pleasing insects have been of particular interest to the scientific community given the sudden decline in their population all around the world. These insects today serve as the model taxon when it comes to studying various repercussions of environmental changes. Researchers have noted that there has been a 97 percent decline in the overall butterfly population in a term of last 3 decades.

Let’s get to know how our future looks without the presence of butterflies.

1-More Closer Species are endangered:

We live in an ecosystem where each and everything is related to one another. Decline in the number of butterfly population sets in motion a degenerative chain reaction that leads to the ultimate extinction of various other species in the planet. For instance, butterflies are a source of food for predators such as ants, birds, rats, toads, snakes, and so on. Decline in their food source ultimately leads to the species in the upper chain going extinct which ultimately affects the humans.

2-Decreased Pollination:

In a way similar to the bees, butterflies participate in the method of pollination which helps in production of food. Even though the butterflies aren’t as efficient as the bees when it comes to pollination, they surely do their part. Given the massive decline in numbers, our food supply might soon go haywire causing chaos and mayhem all around.

3-Abundance of poisonous wild plants:

Milkweed is a plant species that is known to house a cardiac glycoside which can be poisonous for humans. This particular plant species is found enclosing the swamp areas. Fortunately, the butterflies come as our saviour and keep us safe by chomping on these poisonous plants. Milkweed serves as a food source for butterflies. Lack of butterflies can evidently lead to uncontrolled growth of milkweed that can affect us negatively upon accidental consumption.

4-Decrease in Eco-Tourism:

Places all over the world in particular seasons are loaded with butterfly population making it a sprawling spot for eco-tourists visiting for peace and stress free one-on-one session with nature. Lack of butterflies in areas such as California, Mexico, India, etc can eventually lead to a staggering drop in the number of visitors and hence lead to decline in the economic contribution coming from eco-tourism.

Whether it is the drastic environmental changes or the increase in human-generated pollution, Each and every being in the world is affected by the same and butterflies are no exception. The key here is to opt for more environmental friendly methods that can aid in preservation of these beautiful species and several others.

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