Natural
Réserve de biosphère du papillon monarque
Mexique
Photo : Scott Clark from Lexington KY, USA (CC BY 2.0)
Located in the mountainous regions of Michoacán and Mexico State in central Mexico, this biosphere reserve protects the critical wintering grounds of the monarch butterfly. The site encompasses several forest sanctuaries situated at high altitude, where millions of monarch butterflies migrate annually from North America to escape winter conditions. The reserve preserves fir and pine forests that provide the specific microclimate and vegetation necessary for the monarchs' survival during their dormancy period. Its designation reflects the ecological significance of maintaining this essential stopover in the longest insect migration on Earth, which spans thousands of kilometers across three countries. The reserve also protects broader forest ecosystems and biodiversity beyond the monarch butterfly population. The site represents an important example of transnational conservation, as the monarch migration involves coordinated protection efforts across Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
