Illegal logging cuts monarch population

The number of monarch butterflies that showed up at their winter resting grounds in central Mexico decreased by about 26 percent this year, and four times as many trees were lost to illegal logging, drought and other causes, making 2020 a bad year for the butterflies.

The government commission for natural protected areas said the butterflies’ population covered only 5.2 acres in 2020, compared with 6.9 acres the previous year and about one-third of the 14.95 acres detected in 2018.

Illegal logging in the monarchs wintering rounds rose to almost 33 acres, a huge increase from the 1 acre lost to logging last year.