Nominally, it covers the fate of six rare butterflies, but goes far beyond that in an examination of the challenges of conservation writ large, and the potentially dire consequences for all organisms faced with warming temperatures, rising sea levels and more frequent and more powerful storms. Whatever fate awaits butterflies is in store for other insects too.
Haddad chronicles both failures and successes with disarming honesty, and is not afraid to admit when previously held convictions are overturned by facts on the ground.
There is a recognition that natural events such as fire and flood, while causing death to some populations of the six species covered in the book, are also critical to the ongoing survival of the species as a whole, and that suppression of such forces diminishes the chances for a species' numbers to rebound, or at the very least stabilize.
Important concepts such as "metapopulation" are discussed, with a thorough and detailed explanation of how this phenomenon works, and how critical it is to providing suitable habitat for a species, with islands of populations contiguous to each other, and within the range of individuals to recolonize areas affected by natural events that have caused isolated population extinctions. The other vital concept is "effective population size" which measures the number of individuals available to pass on genetic diversity to the next generation. If the gene pool is very low sheer numbers do not tell the whole story and the population is compromised.
The book ends with a look at the Monarch, surely the most recognized butterfly the world over, and one whose numbers are still counted in the hundreds of millions in the Eastern North American subspecies. Yet a few catastrophic events could easily bring the Monarch to the brink of extinction, so there is no cause for complacency.
This book is a sobering read, yet as Haddad is quick to point out in the final chapter, there is yet hope to save the world's rarest species, and in the process protect ecosystems for myriad other organisms too.
Let us make sure we do not fail.
The Last Butterflies: A Scientist's Quest to Save a Rare and Vanishing Creature
Nick Haddad
Hardcover - $24.95 - 9780691165004 - 280 pages - 16 colour plates and 7 black-and-white illustrations - 5 1/2 x 8 1/2
Publication date: 25 June 2019
Hello, it is sad to read about the loss of any rare species. I think our curretn government administration is taking all our environmental advances back in time now. It could only do more harm to the endangered species, including the butterflies. Interesting book, thanks for sharing. Enjoy your day, wishing you a happy new week ahead!
ReplyDeleteHello David, a fearful and scary thought that this ever will happen. For years people warn about what might come. The most fearful for me is that I do not realy see any action on government level. The actions poeple take are far to little to make a difference. I do hope this book will help to make a big difference.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Roos
Otro gran libro amigo David, en este caso sobre las mariposas y de algunas especies en particular. Como tantos otros seres vivos también se encuentran amenazadas y muchas de ellas en periodo de extinción. ¿Cuándo nos tomaremos en serio muchas de las cosas que están pasando en este bello planeta llamado la casa de todos?
ReplyDeleteAnoche, escuchaba la radio desde la cama como suelo hacer tantas noches y me acorde de ti amigo David. Daban la noticia de un buitre negro hembra llamado ‘Brínzola’ que asombra a Europa, fue soltado en España en una reserva de Burgos, lleva puesto un GPS que emite señales cada 5 minutos, nada más y nada menos que ha aparecido en Noruega, el viaje que ha realizado es increíble y fascinante. Ha cruzado dos mares y están en todos los países pendientes de ese buitre hembra. He leído algo sobre ello y por si no lo sabes y es de tu interés te adjunto un enlace de los muchos que hablan sobre ello.
Un fuerte abrazo de tu siempre amigo Juan.
https://elpais.com/sociedad/2019/05/22/actualidad/1558520518_684271.html
I really, really hope we don't fail. But fear for the future. Not necessarily my future, but certainly that of our world.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, David. It's too sad that some species are lost forever. Survival for butterflies is getting more difficult and it seems that we don't do much about it.
ReplyDeleteThis post reminds me of my visit, many years ago, to the 'Valley of the Butterflies'(Petaloudes) on the western side of Rhodes island. A unique, unforgettable sight! A major attraction of the above island!
ReplyDeleteIt's looks like a very interesting book, David. I have seen a blue butterfly here who was very similar to the one in the book, but I'm not sure if it was the same. It's so sad that so many butterflies disappear.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this book. I agree with Eileen's comment. Our current admin doesn't see the importance of our environment.
ReplyDeleteThank you for pointing this one out, David.
ReplyDeleteIt would be sad to see less and less of these lovely creatures. That fact that there is hope is a good sign. I notice a lot of butterfly gardens nearby and people looking to attract butterflies to their yard through their plantings. Hopefully those things help.
ReplyDeleteActually Val, well designed back yards can be of material help in preserving populations of some endangered species.
Deletewell written review, make me sad of depletion of species...
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing photos of beautiful butterflies
Looks very good - although I am not short of books to read! I think you should chase down a copy of The Eastern Curlew by Harry Saddler - its great (if saddening)
ReplyDeleteCheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Certainly some beautiful butterflies around. Went in an Avery once amid the butterflies and plants, was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI hope we can help them survive, David!
ReplyDeleteIda
As a child, Swallowtail butterflies were regularly seen in my father's garden, but now they are rare. The only ones that remain are now found mostly on the eastern side of the country.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a very interesting read, i've added it to my list.
ReplyDeleteI hope the monarch will survive! Congratulations to the author of the book - her quality is at a high standard. Thanks for review!
ReplyDeletePesticides, plastics, carbon fuels - so much is threatening the future of this planet! My main concern is the number of corporations that are waiting for legislation from an almost totally inert government before they will take any steps to improve matters. In the meantime, there are all the selfish individuals who see no reason to 'inconvenience' themselves, to worry about too. I fear that it's going to be a case of 'too little - too late'!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like an excellent book, David, but I shall pass on this one - did, however get given the Princeton 'Dragonflies & Damselflies - a natural history' for Fathers' Day on Sunday, and am looking forward to reading it when I finish my current read.
Much love to you both - - - Richard
I just wonder in another 100 years what this planet will look like. How many insects and wild animals will still be left if things continue as they are, not to mention fish and mammals in the sea. I noted today that Trump is going to give more access to hunting and fishing !!!! The sad part is that they go further afield and kill in other countries as well as their own. I feel sorry for the children growing up today, I suspect they will miss a lot of what we have enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you both, Diane
Det finns inget så definitivt som när en art dör ut - jag undrar om vi människor vågar tillåta oss den tanken fullt ut. Det är slut - nu och för all framtid. Vi kommer aldrig mer att få se den fågeln eller den fjärilen eller den humlan.
ReplyDeleteJag känner mig så uppgiven, vi verkar inte riktigt kunna hantera de problem som vår livsstil orsakar och hur skall det då kunna förändras. Vi som håller på med trädgårdar kan bidra på olika sätt för att underlätta för insekter och fåglar men i det stora hela är det så ytterst lite och saknar betydelse i ett större sammanhang.
Tack David för att du fortsätter skriva om dessa viktiga frågor!
Hi David - I'd love to have some of these Princeton reference books - they all look pretty amazing and so informative. I wrote about the Xerces Blue Butterfly in 2011, as an extinct species originally found in the Sunset District of San Francisco ... last seen in the 1940s. Nature is at risk in so many ways ... thank you for letting us know about this new book - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteBeautiful butterflies! Sad that it is so bad with the species!
ReplyDeleteOne of the links in the balance of nature, too bad!
Great book - review, David!
Regards,
Maria
Thanks for the wonderful review of this important book. Butterflies need all the help they can get.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful butterflies in a book, fabulous.
ReplyDeleteyes, indeed
DeleteFollowing butterflies on their journey would be very revealing. What a fascinating timely subject matter! To focus on butterflies is to remember that all life is interconnected and vulnerable. In fact, I'm reminded of Carl Sagan's words: “We are like butterflies who flutter for a day and think it is forever.”
ReplyDeleteGreat quote. I had not known of it before.
ReplyDeleteJust this year has been the most appalling one for butterflies. In Menorca, despite warm temperatures and lots of sun we saw hardly any - one Swallowtail and no medium size ones. Back home now there are no Painted Ladies, Peacocks, Tortoiseshells and very few of the smaller species. Unless we have warm weather soon, I fear it will be a blank year. Very sad and extremely worrying.
ReplyDeleteEn mi jardín, todavía se ven algunas mariposas y deseo seguir viéndolas por aquí. Un abrazo.
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeletelet's hope we can turn this downfall in butterflies and all insects. They are crucial for nature as we know it. And for all live on this planet.
Here in Holland there are a lot of small initiatives to make pieces of land bloom again with wild flowers. That shows people care. But we will need al lot of big changes. I hope that will come in time.
Best regards, Corrie
How appropriate to find this book reviewed in the midst of our Pollinator Week here in the U.S. As go the butterflies, so go the beetles and bees, and a good bit else.
ReplyDeleteThere's no question that people are becoming more aware of the issues; how deeply engaged they're willing to become is still to be seen. One of the best initiatives in my area has been the planting of a series of butterfly gardens in private yards and public spaces, designed to provide suitable landing spots for creatures with very specific needs.
It does seems that the more people learn about these marvelous creatures, the more they're willing to work on their behalf. There's a lot of educating to be done, and I think this book would be a great resource for anyone trying to educate and raise awareness.
this sounds like a good book!! i would like to do more reading about butterflies as i have developed such a huge interest in them. it is fascinating, their lives and habits, i always want to learn more!!
ReplyDeleteHi David,
ReplyDeleteBooks with valuable information are always a pleasure. But, "The Last Butterflies" as a title you can compare with "Silent Spring" of Rachel Carson. Let's hope the butterflies will survive anyway.
Greetings, Kees
Oh this book look so pretty~
ReplyDeleteNice book of the butterflies. Greetings Caroline
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting read. Scary and ominous times for nature right now. I was just reading an update on coral reefs, and it doesn't sound good. I wonder if butterflies could be considered indicator species with regard to the health of our environment?
ReplyDeleteThere are many who consider butterflies the new "canary in the coal mine."
DeleteThis book sounds wonderful. Seems like everything with nature lately is so depressing. It is good to know there are lots of people out there trying to make it ok again, even a little bit.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful book! I love learning the butterflies and moths here in Florida! They are out in force right now!
ReplyDeleteButterflies are the most beautiful insect that we like the most, it would be very sad if they disappeared!
ReplyDeleteIt is essential to protect this species and each and every one of those that exist, since everything is part of the ecosystem, increasingly fragile that we must conserve.
Many kisses.
We really do need to help butterflies.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post and review.
All the best Jan
This looks like a beautiful, if (as you said) sobering book but packed with good information. Thanks for telling us about it.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be terrible that our own doing would cause the earth to get along like that. The earth shows this by causing the temperatures to rise enormously, causing a great deal of flora and fauna to disappear. I think it's pretty scary that this can happen and we are already well on our way if you include global warming.
ReplyDeleteVery nice that you describe this review of this book and I hope with all my heart that we can save these beautiful creatures.
Dear greetings, Helma