Page 18 - Climate Conference - EBook 2023: Al-Qasemi Academy

Climate Change Contributing to Widespread Butterfly
Decline: Case Report North of West Bank-Palestine
Dr.Walid Basha

Department of Biomedical Sciences
An-Najah National University

ABSTRACT
Butterflies are one of the most sensitive insects to changes in the surrounding
environment, as it is considered a major marker for a healthy ecosystem.
During a field study of biodiversity in the northern part of the West Bank in Palestine,
observations showed a decrease in the number of many butterfly species. One of the
main reasons that led to this decrease is the change in temperatures in the autumn
season, in addition to the disturbance of the temperature during the spring season.
Across nine sites and 32 butterfly species, the abundance of butterflies was found to
have declined by 5-20% over 15 years.
The decline shows that no single threat is sufficient to explain the overall decline. Besides
climate change, other causes of bedding decline include habitat loss and pesticide
massive use.
The decline in our butterfly population is very worrying. This should take measures to
address this matter.

Keywords: Butterflies, West-Bank, Climate change.

Biography: - Assistant Professor of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Immunology- Department of
Biomedical Sciences- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University.
- Head manager and main researcher of Basha Scientific Centre for studies and research (BSC), a
centre for environmental studies.
- Chairperson of Ecotourism committee in Jenin Governorate.

- Board of trustee member of Palestine Museum of Natural History.
- Reference for Jenin Governorate and Municipality for the environmental issues.
• Tel. Number: +970 599 590 284

• Category: Oral presentation/ Poster
• Research Interest: Biodiversity, Infectious diseases,