Butterflies Worldwide Shift Ranges Due to Climate Change, Study Finds

A research article in Nature Ecology & Evolution, published on August 5, indicates that approximately 10% of butterfly species worldwide have altered their habitats, with changes occurring across all continents. The study, spearheaded by Shawan Chowdhury from Monash University, examined 1,758 species across 105 nations. Results show that 80% of these species have expanded their ranges, while 27% have seen a reduction, largely due to climate change, extreme weather events, agricultural practices, and habitat destruction. For example, bog drainage has caused habitat loss for Germany's cranberry fritillary, and an invasive species has diminished the mustard white's range in the U.S. The tawny coster has been spreading in Australia since 2012 at a rate of 84 miles annually, while the small blue has experienced a 40% habitat loss in the UK over the past 150 years. The research emphasizes the need for improved monitoring in biodiversity hotspots.