Butterflies are beautiful and fascinating insects that play an important role in the ecosystem as pollinators and prey for other animals. However, butterflies are also threatened by habitat loss, climate change, pesticides, and diseases.
To monitor the status and trends of butterfly populations in the UK, wildlife lovers are urged to join the annual butterfly count, which is the world's largest survey of its kind.
What is the butterfly count?
KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Getty Images
The Big Butterfly Count is a citizen science project run by Butterfly Conservation, a UK charity dedicated to saving butterflies, moths, and their habitats, as per VOA News.
The project aims to collect data on the abundance and distribution of 20 target species of butterflies and day-flying moths across the UK.
The project also raises awareness and appreciation of these insects among the public and encourages people to take action to protect them.
The Big Butterfly Count started in 2010 and has become the world's biggest butterfly survey, with over 100,000 participants submitting over 150,000 counts last year.
The count runs for three weeks every summer, from mid-July to early August.
This year, the count will take place from July 15 to August 6.
To participate in the Big Butterfly Count, all you need is 15 minutes of your time, a sunny spot, and a smartphone or a pen and paper. You can find a sunny place where you can see butterflies or moths, such as a garden, a park, a field, or a forest.
You can spend 15 minutes counting how many of each species you see. You can then submit your sightings using the free Big Butterfly Count app or the online form on the website.
You can do as many counts as you like during the three-week period.
Why does the butterfly count matter for conservation?
The butterfly count matters for conservation because it provides valuable information on how butterflies and moths are faring in the UK, as per Phys.org.
Butterflies and moths are sensitive indicators of environmental change, as they respond quickly to changes in temperature, rainfall, habitat quality, and availability of food plants.
By tracking their numbers and distribution over time, we can assess the health of their habitats and the wider ecosystem.
The data collected by the butterfly count can also help identify which species are declining or expanding, which regions are more or less diverse, and which factors are affecting their survival.
This can inform conservation actions and policies to protect these insects and their habitats from threats such as habitat loss, climate change, pesticides, and diseases.
The butterfly count also has benefits for people who participate in it. It can improve their mental health and well-being by providing them with an opportunity to connect with nature, enjoy its beauty, and learn about its diversity.
It can also inspire them to take action to help butterflies and moths by creating habitats for them in their gardens or communities, supporting conservation organizations or campaigns, or spreading awareness among others.
Butterflies and moths are amazing insects that deserve our attention and care. By joining the annual butterfly count, we can contribute to their conservation and enjoy their presence in our lives.
The butterfly count is a simple and rewarding way to make a difference for these insects and for ourselves.
