Monarchs: Eucalyptus globulus introductions versus preserving natural communities

[Paul Cherubini]

Pat Foley wrote:

> Planting large numbers of Blue Gum Eucalyptus on what
> might be oak woodland, or some other natural California
> community in order to help one Australian species
> invade shows the kind of singleminded, unecological,
> nonevolutionary thinking we enjoy so much on this list.

I agree and suggest planting little 5 acre blue gum 
eucalyptus groves on existing government owned treeless 
land (which itself is dominated by exotic grasses) to create 
large monarch overwintering sites. Two examples of where 
this could be done are at the Port Hueneme Naval Base in 
Port Hueneme, CA. and the Alameda Naval Base in Alameda, 
Calif.

But like I said, before, monarch conservationists shun such simple
and cheap $500 conservation solutions in favor of $300,000,000
expenditures like the proposed Butterfly Palace.

Below are two university monarch scientists that support the 
Butterfly Palace:
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http://www.butterflypalace.org/page13.htm
Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, California 5 April 1999
Biological Sciences Department

Ms. Sheila Boone, President
Butterfly Palace
San Luis Obispo, CA

Dear Sheila,

It should be emphasized the the long distance migration
and winter aggregation of monarch butterflies are
considered endangered phenomena being lost due to urban
development, grove senescence and in California, diseases
such as the pitch pine canker, caused by Fusarium
subglutinans and the Australian eucalyptus insect borer,
Phoracanter semipunctata. It is imperative, therefore, to
preserve these phenomena by purchasing critical
overwintering sites and by managing these sites to favor
winter aggregations of monarch butterflies. The mass
aggregation of monarch butterflies is a natural treasure
found only in California and in Mexico.

I believe that Ms. Boone pursuit to preserve this natural
endangered phenomenon is a noble and worthy cause.
Future generations of Californians would be thankful if your
company supported her cause by providing the financial
support for the purchase and the management of Cayucos
site. Speaking for myself, I would be eternally grateful.

Sincerely,

Kingston L. H. Leong, Ph.D.
Biological Sciences
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http://www.butterflypalace.org/page18.htm

25 October 1999

Ms. Sheila Boone, President
Butterfly Palace
San Luis Obispo, CA

Dear Sheila,

You have my hearty endorsement in promoting the conservation of the
monarch butterfly overwintering sites in California which are so besieged by
real estate development up and down the coast.

This is an imperative for two reasons: first there is a very high probability
that we will lose the overwintering sites in Mexico due to uncontrollable
deforestation which will spell the demise of the migration east of the
Rocky Mountains, thus leaving California as sole guardian the North American
migration. Secondly, how can we as First World Americans urge the
Mexican Government and people to protect their overwintering colonies
if we do not protect ours?

As I have pointed out elsewhere, the migration and overwintering behavior
of the monarch butterfly is an endangered biological phenomenon. It will
take a concerted effort to protect this fragile and beautiful manifestation of
the natural world.

Sincerely,

Sincerely, 

Lincoln Pierson Brower, Ph.D.
Research Professor of Biology at Sweet Briar College
Distinguished Service Professor of Zoology, Emeritus at the University of Florida 

 
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