Migratory monarchs may exist in all 48 states, but they tend to follow
specific migratory paths (flyways) -- unless you choose to ignore the
mark-recapture data obtained from migrating monarchs over the rest of
their range.
Monarchs do not breed in their overwintering sites, therefore as
butterflies follow specific flyways in their migrations, much as ducks
and geese, it seems likely that there are several genetically distinct
subpopulations. It may also be, as the flyways converge for the
populations that overwinter in Mexico, that the genetic interchange that
may occur prevents or reduces the potential for emerging
subpopulations. Nevertheless, the idea of monarch subpopulations cannot
be so readily dismissed by anyone familiar with the actual data.
Who said anything about old-growth? What a great rhetorical flourish --
attack something someone did NOT say in order to distract others from
the paucity of accuracy in one's own argument.
Sincerely,
Dave Lawrence
Paul Cherubini wrote:
David M. Lawrence wrote:
Last time I checked, migrations do not span the "entire" USA. Certain
subpopulations follow specific migration routes, therefore disruptions
to migration corridors could affect those subpopulations. There is also
the problem of maintaining adequate migration corridors to the primary
wintering site in Mexico, which is itself under threat.
Pure fantasy. Fall migratory monarchs exist in all
48 states, hence there are no "subpopulations." These migrants
cross the Rocky Mountains in both directions, hence
there are no "specific migration routes". Crop monocultures
like alfalfa, red clover and sunflowers help fuel the migration
and there are plenty of those around.:
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k75/4af/sunc.jpg
http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k75/4af/sund.jpg
NONE of the overwintering forests in Mexico
are old growth - they've been selectively logged for centuries.
This is an example of how scientists fool the public, granting
agencies and even their fellow scientists like you. This is an
example of why the Joe the Plumbers of the world distrust
academics and believe Ph.D stands for Piled High and Deeper.
--
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David M. Lawrence | Home: (804) 559-9786
7471 Brook Way Court | Fax: (804) 559-9787
Mechanicsville, VA 23111 | Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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