Migration Update: February 7, 2008 | Please
Report Winter Sightings! >> |
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Today's Report Includes:
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Welcome to Journey North's spring season! | |||||
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How many monarchs in Mexico this year? | |||||
The twelve known monarch butterfly colonies in Mexico are measured every winter. These yearly measurements give scientists a chance to estimate the size of the entire overwintering population.
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Mexican biologist Eduardo Salinas-Rendon led the team that measured the monarch population this winter. |
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How do scientists measure the colonies? >> | |||||
Scientists want to know if we are doing a good job protecting monarchs. Because the monarchs in Mexico have come from across eastern North America, the winter measurements have extra meaning. Scientists watch these numbers carefully and try to understand what causes the changes they see. Today, see how the scientists measure the monarch colonies, and try making some measurements yourself. >> |
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Challenge Question #1: How many individual butterflies? | |||||
Scientists don't know how many individual butterflies are in the monarch sanctuaries. For almost twenty years the scientists' best estimate was 10 million monarchs per hectare. Then something happened.
To respond: Write in your journal and send us your answer for possible inclusion in next week's update. (Don't forget to tell us your name and school!) |
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Seeing Monarchs? Please report winter sightings! | |||||
All monarchs do not go to Mexico. Please help us document where monarchs are located this winter. These observations are important as we watch for ways climate change could effect the monarch's range and migration.
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Links: Monarch Butterfly Resources to Explore | |||||
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More
Monarch Lessons and
Teaching Ideas! |
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The Next Monarch Migration Update Will Be Posted on February 14, 2008.
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