Rare Nevada Butterfly Proposed for Endangered Species Protection – Center for Biological Diversity

Proposed Endangered Species Act Protection for the Bleached Sandhill Skipper

RENO, Nev.— The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has responded to a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity by proposing Endangered Species Act protection for the bleached sandhill skipper. This subspecies of butterfly is extremely rare and can be found in alkali wetlands in far northern Nevada.

Threats to the Bleached Sandhill Skipper

The bleached sandhill skipper is facing several threats to its survival. These include declining groundwater levels due to agriculture use, a proposed geothermal energy project, habitat trampling by livestock grazing, and the effects of drought and increased heat caused by climate change. Recent surveys have indicated that there are fewer than 1,000 individuals of this butterfly species remaining annually.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The proposed Endangered Species Act protection for the bleached sandhill skipper aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

1. SDG 15: Life on Land – By protecting this rare butterfly species and its habitat, we contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.
2. SDG 13: Climate Action – The threats faced by the bleached sandhill skipper, such as declining groundwater levels and increased heat due to climate change, highlight the urgent need for climate action.
3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The survival of the bleached sandhill skipper depends on the availability of groundwater. Protecting this butterfly species also means protecting the water resources that sustain all life in the desert.

Habitat and Characteristics of the Bleached Sandhill Skipper

The bleached sandhill skipper inhabits three alkali wetlands located within a short distance of each other in Humboldt County, Nevada. These wetlands are formed by highly mineralized thermal springs that release warm water throughout the year, preventing the butterfly’s habitat from freezing solid during the harsh Great Basin winter.

Full-grown bleached sandhill skippers are approximately 1 inch long and have pale golden-orange markings. The caterpillars of this butterfly species rely on saltgrass for food and shelter, while adult butterflies feed on nectar from rabbitbrush. Both of these plants require a constant supply of groundwater to survive.

Threats to Groundwater Levels

Monitoring wells surrounding the wetland habitats have observed declining groundwater levels. The excessive pumping of groundwater for agricultural purposes, particularly for alfalfa cultivation, has contributed to these declines. Additionally, the catastrophic drought resulting from climate change has further exacerbated the situation.

Impact of Geothermal Energy Project

There is an approved geothermal energy project located directly adjacent to the largest population of the bleached sandhill skipper at Baltazor Hot Spring. Geothermal energy projects have been found to cause severe impacts to adjacent surface water features and pose a significant risk to the survival of this butterfly species.

Preserving Water Resources for All

Patrick Donnelly, the Great Basin director at the Center for Biological Diversity, emphasizes the importance of protecting the bleached sandhill skipper and its habitat. He states, “The bleached sandhill skipper needs the same thing to survive that we do: water. With these endangered species protections, we aren’t just protecting charming little butterflies and their wetland habitat. We’re protecting the water that sustains all life in the desert, including our own.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 13: Climate Action, and SDG 15: Life on Land.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under the identified SDGs are:
– SDG 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.
– SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
– SDG 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Declining groundwater levels due to agriculture use and a proposed geothermal energy project can be indicators for measuring progress towards SDG 6.4.
– Catastrophic drought due to climate change can be an indicator for measuring progress towards SDG 13.1.
– Habitat trampling by livestock grazing and the proposed geothermal energy project causing severe impacts to adjacent surface water features and posing a significant risk to the skipper can be indicators for measuring progress towards SDG 15.5.

Source: biologicaldiversity.org