Expansion of avocado monoculture threatens the overwintering habitat of monarch butterflies in central Mexico

By 2024, avocado monoculture had encroached upon 1345 ha of Mexico’s Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve—337 ha of it former pine-oak forest—threatening the overwintering habitat of migratory monarch butterflies. Modeling under current and future climate scenarios (low- and high-emission) projects that suitable avocado cropping area will rise from 5076 ha today to 10 395 ha by 2070, shifting upslope and imperiling nectar sources while increasing pesticide use. Although sacred fir and mixed-conifer forests remain intact for now, their long-term viability hinges on curbing monoculture expansion and adopting sustainable avocado practices.

Sáenz-Ceja, J. E., & Pérez-Salicrup, D. R. (2025). Expansion of avocado monoculture threatens the overwintering habitat of monarch butterflies in central Mexico. Acta Oecologica, 128, 104116. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actao.2025.104116