To some observers Monarch butterflies may indeed simply be
charismatic species. However, as pollinators, they also provide
ecosystem services and can have ecological effects that are
disproportionately large, relative to their abundance in the
environment. As is noted at
http://www.desertmuseum.org/pollination/, migratory pollinators are
<http://www.desertmuseum.org/pollination/glossary.php#Keystone%20species>keystone
species that are linked to the fate of many other species that may be
scattered over large geographical areas.
Val Smith
At 08:25 AM 10/29/2008, Jason L Kindall wrote:
Why chain ourselves to economic importance of a species as a
barometer on whether we should conserve it? Granted, economic
importance is a good boost for conservation of some
species. However, it sure isn't the only reason to conserve something.
Jason
Paul Cherubini wrote:
Jason L Kindall wrote:
Viewed alone, it might be pretty hard to justify research on fruit
flies to the average Joe (plumber
or six-pack). Connect it with autism or human health and then it
becomes more palatable to the public.
Perhaps Sarah Palin and the average Joe's are refering
to the big research grants that are awarded for seemingly
frivolous projects like the one below dealing with the health of an
economically unimportant, but charasmatic insect:
http://tinyurl.com/2d6r9f
$679,492 Grant to assist professor's study of butterflies
Altizer received the National Science Foundation Faculty
Early Development Career award to study migration and
infectious disease patterns in Monarch butterflies.
Altizer hopes her research will help with conservation. She wants
to know how migration keeps Monarchs healthy.
"People tend to love Monarchs to death," Altizer said. Keeping
humans from disrupting the butterflies' migration will help keep them healthy.
Paul Cherubini
El Dorado, Calif.
--
Jason L. Kindall
Education & Research Director
Ozark Natural Science Center
1905 Madison 1305
Huntsville, AR 72740
Ph: 479-789-2754
Fax: 479-789-2728
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.onsc.us
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Val H. Smith
Professor
Interim Director, KU Undergraduate Biology (KUUB) and Human Biology programs
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045
785-864-4565
FAX: 785-864-5321
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
