Monarch Butterfly Micro-climate Study

Beginning in winter 2002, we began an on-going study to gather baseline data on microclimate variables in the monarch butterfly overwintering habitats at Andrew Molera State Park (Stands A and B) and Point Lobos State Reserve in Monterey County. Our main objectives were to design a long-term monitoring study to 1) compare microclimate characteristics among monarch butterfly overwintering groves and 2) investigate the relationship between microclimate and relative numbers of overwintering monarch butterflies within the groves.