Oyamel Fir Forest
The Oyamel fir forest is a monarch Butterfly forest located in part of Michoacan, Mexico and Mexico city, Mexico. Forming one of the forest in the mountains of Sierra Madre Oriental, the forest has 56,259 ha of extension (UNESCO, 2013). Billions of butterflies migrate from Canada to Mexico to hibernate during the winter. This migration constitutes "70% of the total overwintering population of the monarch butterfly's eastern population" (UNESCO, 2013), becoming one of the most dramatic and spectacular migrations of all insects. The monarch butterfly have an important value to the environment and the culture. Because of the number of Monarch Butterflies migrating, they are one of the greatest pollinators in the America (Taylor, 2009).
Oyamel fir forest has been deforested, therefore the ecosystems are being threaten including the Monarch Butterflies. The World Wildlife Fund world reveals the danger that these species have. Its data reveals that "[a]ccording to a survey carried out during the 2012-2013 winter season by the WWF-Telcel Alliance, and Mexico’s National Commission of Protected Areas (CONAP), the nine hibernating colonies occupy a total area of 2.94 acres of forest—representing a 59% decrease from the 2011-2012 survey of 7.14 acres. The migration of these insects is endangered to extinction threatening the equilibrium of the continent's environment.
To protect the Monarch Butterflies and preserve the Oyamel Fir Forest, organizations are taking action. The organization World Wildlife Fund is helping the communities to have alternative sources of income such as mushroom and tree nurseries and thus reducing the need agricultural activities. WWF is also promoting tourism which returns revenues that can be used to educate the community.
The forest is also a biosphere reserved stated by the UNESCO. Furthermore, according to the USDA Forest Service, the Goverment of Mexico is also taking action and created since 1986 "the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve [...] to protect [...] 217 square miles" ( of forest. Along with the goverment other organizations such as, La Cruz Habitat Protection Project and Michoacan Reforestation Fund are working to protect the habitat, as well as non-profit organizations such as Alterane and ECOLIFE that are working to offer income alternatives to the community.
Despite the efforts, the data of 2013 reveals that the monarch butterflies are extremely endangered and the need of common commitment to preserve the Oyamel fir forest is crucial in order to allow the butterflies to complete their migration cycle.
This video shows how the butterflies arrive to the Oyamel fir Forest during the fall.