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Join research teams in Nepal and New Mexico to learn
about global ecosystems, the important roles of large and small animals
within an ecosystem, and the threats to their survival.
The caterpillar is at the bottom of the food chain,
AND also one of the most plentiful forest inhabitants, which means they
are critical for the ecosystem. Changes in their populations may provide
early warning of a distressed ecosystem.
Butterflies are a vital and
unique part of the life support system in Nepal. There are 635 butterfly
species present in Nepal ecosystems.
Most species are concentrated in the tropical forest areas. The Himalayan flowers are dying out
because of the reduction in the numbers of the butterfly species. When
butterflies die, the pests that they eat increase and the farmer is
threatened. Those who benefit by having their pests eaten by caterpillars
and their crops enhanced by cross pollination are hurt. The ecosystem
that sustains Nepal is being thrown out of gear. The reduction in
greenery, pesticides and the theft of butterflies from the Himalayas has
serious implications for the preservation of biodiversity.
In New Mexico, there are over
300 species of Butterflies. New
Mexico is ranked third in the nation for butterfly populations. The importance of butterflies in New Mexico
ecosystems is significant, as they are pollinators for wildflowers and
agricultural crops and promote the conservation of our natural wildlife
heritage. The Sandia hairstreak
thrive in New Mexicos’ semiarid climate where different years bring
floods and droughts and where the terrain is beautiful but rugged. The Sandia hairstreak can be found
among the native beargrass in New Mexico's wide-open spaces as well as in
towns and cities where the beargrass plant grows...the Sandia hairstreak,
a New Mexico native, does not migrate, but stays in the New Mexico
landscape year-round.
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