Executive Summary:

This article describes the impact of land use and climate change on the lives of insects in the Puget Sound. Butterflies are studied by field researchers because their presence is a good indication of a healthy ecosystem for arthropods and surrounding flora. For the purposes of this paper butterflies will be the main example of environmental damage due to land use and climate change. The article will show  butterflies in rural and urban regions of the Puget Sound have decreased in numbers. The the decrease in butterflies corresponds to the decline in health of the surrounding environment. Climate change in the sub alpine region of Mount Rainier National Park will be used as an example of the negative impact on insects. The land development of Thurston County will be used as an example of the negative impact on insects. The combined effects of land use and climate change will be outlined with a suggested response to the issues.

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Early spring invertebrates.

Daffodils coming up earlier than expected.

Pollen sources being eaten before being visited by a pollinator.

The Mima Mounds Prairie. There is very little prairie land left in the Puget Sound.