by Liz Olson, Grade 11, The Blake Schools
One of the major issues that has arisen regarding conservation of the monarch butterfly reserves is that of tree cutting. The deforestation in and around the monarch sanctuaries is at the hands of peasants as well as commercial tree cutters. There are two sides to this issue.
The disadvantages of the deforestation are very clear. The trees act as a thermal blanket and umbrella to the butterflies. They keep the cold air and freezing rain out, and keep the body heat produced by the butterflies in. Empirically, coldness kills the butterflies. Though the exact percentages are not known, clearly many monarchs were killed in the recent snow fall.
On the other hand, peasants in the areas surrounding the reserves need income from the trees that they cut for fuel, for building materials and for furniture production. Some people say the thinning of the forest allows for the growth of underbrush and especially the growth of flowers that the monarchs can use for nectar. This is not scientifically accepted, however. Research conducted over many years suggests monarchs do not use these flowers for nectar during the winter.
Present actions to help bring an end to the deforestation have been somewhat successful. In the 1986 Forestry Declaration, President Miguel de la Madrid of Mexico banned all tree cutting within the nuclear zones of the sanctuaries. Yet, in some cases, these laws are not respected and cutting continues clandestinely within the nuclear zones of the sanctuaries. It is said that some of the people that do the tree cutting are not even aware of the Forestry Declaration. Illegal commercial cutting also continues. In some areas grazing cattle trample the tree seedlings, and so the forest may not be renewing itself.
How can the deforestation problem be solved? The only way that the deforestation problem is going to be solved is if the communities surrounding the monarch sanctuaries are able to secure alternative sources of income. Until now, these communities have relied upon the wood of these forests for their livelihood. If tourism or some other source of income can replace this reliance, the forests and the monarchs may survive. At this point in time, the monarch reserves do not create much of an income for the campesino farmers living near the reserve and they must continue to depend upon their farming and, in the case of the men, work in other towns or cities. Much effort will be needed so that some day all the monarch reserves will also benefit the local farmers around Angangueo.
 |
|
|---|
