Turkey: New species of butterflies began to appear in Turkey, coinciding with the increase in the warmth of cold regions due to the phenomenon of climate change, according to a Turkish academic.
Orem Kara Cetin, Professor of Environmental Engineering at the Turkish University of Erciyes, stated that information indicates that there are about 400 species of butterflies in Turkey, 45 of which are permanently endemic, compared to 500 species in Europe and about 700 in Canada and the United States.
In her interview with Anatolia, Kara Cetin added that some species of butterflies in Turkey are in danger of extinction, stressing the close relationship between living organisms and climate.
She explained that there are species of butterflies that leave due to climate change to suitable areas, adapt to the changing climate, or may disappear completely and perish.
Temporary residence
The professor of environmental engineering considered that the impact of climate change on butterfly species at the present time is positive for Turkey because cold places are starting to become warm.
“Already, there has been an increase in species coming to Turkey from Africa,” Qara Cetin said.
“We are happy to think that new butterflies are starting to live in our areas, but this is a temporary process; in other words, the real effects of climate change will cause a wide range of organisms to not adapt and be negatively affected,” she added.
She pointed out that butterflies have a very short lifespan and can adapt very quickly to their environment, but if the process of climate change continues at current rates, the extinction of some species will be considered an “inevitable consequence.”
And she continued, “We see the current effects on the species that live in the mountains, near the glacier area, and it is expected that the butterflies that live in that area will be the most affected species as a result of the melting of glaciers and changing habitats (sea creatures) there.”
Receding Harmony
Kara Cetin emphasized that one of the negative effects of climate change is the decline in the process of synchronization or harmony between plants and butterflies.
“It is important that the butterflies appear at the same time as the plants so that they can lay their eggs and ensure that the larvae can continue their lives,” she said.
She explained that butterflies are found all over the world except for Antarctica and said that Turkey hosts different types of butterflies.
