Abstract
This study compares the variation of richness, abundance and diversity of butterfly species along an atmospheric pollution gradient and during different seasons in the Monterrey Metropolitan Area, Mexico. Likewise, we analyse the influence of environmental variables on the abundance and richness of butterfly species and quantify the indicator species for each atmospheric pollution category. Based on spatial analysis of the main atmospheric pollutants and the vegetation cover conditions, four permanent sampling sites were delimited. The sampling was carried out monthly in each of the sites using aerial entomological nets and ten Van Someren-Rydon traps during May 2018 to April 2019. A total of 8,570 specimens belonging to six families and 209 species were collected. Both species richness and abundance were significantly different between all sites, except for the comparison between the moderate contamination site and the high contamination site; diversity decreased significantly with increasing levels of contamination. The seasonality effect was absent on species richness; however, for species abundance the differences between dry season and rainy season were significant in each site excepting the moderate contamination site. Regarding diversity, the seasonal effect showed different distribution patterns according to each order. Relative humidity, vegetation cover and three pollution variables were highly correlated with both abundance and species richness. From the total number of species found, only 47 had a significant indicator value. This study constitutes the first faunistic contribution of butterflies as indicators of the environmental quality of urban areas in Mexico, which will help in the development of strategies for the management, planning and conservation of urban biodiversity.
Highlights
The dynamics of the demographic growth that cities are facing represents a serious threat to the environment, to the health and quality of life of its inhabitants (Vlahov and Galea 2002)
A total of 8,570 specimens belonging to six families, 19 subfamilies, 31 tribes, 138 genera and 209 species of butterflies were collected for the study area
The highest species abundance and richness, as well as alpha diversity, are recorded at the site free from air pollution, that is associated with a less impacted landscape. Both species richness and abundance were significantly different between all sites, except for the comparison between the moderate contamination site and the high contamination site, while diversity decreased significantly with increasing levels of contamination
Summary
The dynamics of the demographic growth that cities are facing represents a serious threat to the environment, to the health and quality of life of its inhabitants (Vlahov and Galea 2002). The excessive exploitation of the natural resources, land use changes, industrial and urban concentrations and the large quantity of pollutants being emitted to the atmosphere, damage the environment in a process that seems irreversible (García et al 2013). These effects harm living beings, and generate phenomena that affect the ecosystem (López et al 2001). In Mexico, atmospheric pollution has deteriorated air quality in various cities, including the Valle de México Metropolitan Zone, the Guadalajara Metropolitan Zone and the Monterrey Metropolitan Zone (MMZ) (García et al 2012; Cerón et al 2014; Mancilla et al 2015; Menchaca et al 2015). The Monterrey Metropolitan Zone, presents serious environmental problems: geological and hydrological risks, water scarcity, green areas loss, air pollution, amongst many others (Cantú et al 2013; Badillo et al 2015; Orta et al 2016; Sanchez-Castillo et al 2016; Sisto et al 2016; Sanchez-Castillo et al 2017)
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