Butterflies for Research

In 2002, a study on butterflies was launched at Ramat Hanadiv. Initially, the study aimed to use butterflies to learn about the ecosystem in the Nature Park and estimate the effects of humans on the park. Butterflies are considered to be bioindicators – they serve as a biological marker indicating the changes occurring in ecosystems, and in the populations those ecosystems support. Many studies have shown that wherever there is a decrease in both the number of butterfly species and the number of individual butterflies there is also a decrease in the number of plant, bird and reptile species etc. Thus, for example, it was found that in the planted pine groves at Ramat Hanadiv there is low diversity. It was also found that during the dry summer months the butterflies use the Memorial Gardens, which serve as an oasis for butterflies and other animals during this season.