Study

Butterfly diversity in Swiss grasslands: respective impacts of low-input management, landscape features and region

  • Published source details Aviron S., Berner D. & Bosshart S. (2005) Butterfly diversity in Swiss grasslands: respective impacts of low-input management, landscape features and region. Pages 340-343 in: R. Lillak, R. Viiralt, A. Linke & V. Geherman (eds.) Grassland Science in Europe. 10, Estonian Grassland Society, Tartu.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Pay farmers to cover the costs of conservation measures (as in agri-environment schemes or conservation incentives)

Action Link
Butterfly and Moth Conservation

Reduce management intensity on permanent grasslands (several interventions at once)

Action Link
Butterfly and Moth Conservation

Reduce management intensity on permanent grasslands (several interventions at once)

Action Link
Farmland Conservation
  1. Pay farmers to cover the costs of conservation measures (as in agri-environment schemes or conservation incentives)

    A replicated, controlled study in 2000–2002 in three farmland regions of the Swiss Plateau, Switzerland (Aviron et al. 2005) found more butterfly species on grasslands which farmers were paid to manage for wildlife than on intensively managed grasslands in one of two study years. In 2002, but not in 2000, grasslands managed under agri-environment schemes had more butterfly species than intensively managed grasslands (actual numbers not given). The identity of the butterfly species found was not significantly influenced by management intensity, but was different in different regions. The agri-environment scheme grasslands were managed as “Ecological Compensation Areas”, with restricted fertilizer and pesticide use, and delayed mowing. Butterflies were recorded in 56 agri-environment grasslands and 48 intensively managed grasslands during the summers of 2000 and 2002.

    (Summarised by: Andrew Bladon, edited from Farmland synopsis)

  2. Reduce management intensity on permanent grasslands (several interventions at once)

    A replicated, controlled study in 2000–2002 in three farmland regions of the Swiss Plateau, Switzerland (Aviron et al. 2005) found more butterfly species on low-input grasslands than on intensively managed grasslands in one of two study years. In 2002, but not in 2000, low-input grasslands had more butterfly species than intensively managed grasslands (actual numbers not given). The identity of the butterfly species found was not significantly influenced by management intensity, but was different in different regions. The low-input grasslands were managed as “Ecological Compensation Areas”, with restricted fertilizer and pesticide use, and delayed mowing. Butterflies were recorded in 56 low-input grasslands and 48 intensively managed grasslands during the summers of 2000 and 2002.

    (Summarised by: Andrew Bladon, edited from Farmland Synopsis)

  3. Reduce management intensity on permanent grasslands (several interventions at once)

    A site comparison study in three regions of the Swiss Plateau (Aviron et al. 2005) found more butterfly (Lepidoptera) species on low input than on intensively managed grasslands in one of two study years. In 2002, but not in 2000, low input grasslands had more butterfly species than intensively managed grasslands (actual numbers not given). The identity of the butterfly species found was not significantly influenced by management intensity, but was different in different regions. Butterflies were recorded in 56 low input grasslands and 48 intensively managed grasslands, during the summers of 2000 and 2002. The low input grasslands were managed as Ecological Compensation Areas. They had restricted fertilizer and pesticide use, and late mowing.

     

Output references
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