Satoyama's butterflies drastically reduced Increase in abandoned farmland or other factors

A survey by the Ministry of the Environment found that the number of 34 species of butterflies inhabiting satoyama and other species is rapidly decreasing.

The Ministry of the Environment and the Japan Nature Conservation Association have collaborated with universities and residents to observe ecosystems such as plants, birds and insects in satoyama and surrounding areas nationwide. The collected data was analyzed.

As a result, of the 87 species of butterflies that were analyzed, more than half of the species are declining in population, and 34 species, or 40%, have a rapid decline of 3.5% or more per year. I understood that. This corresponds to a reduction rate that is a criterion for endangered species.

In particular, Miyama Karas Ageha, which is widely distributed from Hokkaido to Kyushu, had the largest decline, with an average decrease of 31.4% per year.

In addition, hare also decreased by an average of 5.7% per year.

According to the Ministry of the Environment, it is considered that the management of satoyama and surrounding areas has not been properly conducted due to the increase in abandoned cultivated land, and that the environment has changed due to development.

The Ministry of the Environment says, “We want to make this result known to local governments and related organizations, and advance our efforts to conserve organisms.”