Butterfly responses to prairie restoration through fire and grazing
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Published source details
Vogel J.A., Debinski D.M., Koford R.R. & Miller J.R. (2007) Butterfly responses to prairie restoration through fire and grazing. Biological Conservation, 140, 78-90.
Published source details Vogel J.A., Debinski D.M., Koford R.R. & Miller J.R. (2007) Butterfly responses to prairie restoration through fire and grazing. Biological Conservation, 140, 78-90.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Use rotational burning Action Link |
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Maintain species-rich, semi-natural grassland Action Link |
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Use rotational burning
A replicated, site comparison study in 2004–2005 in two remnant prairies and adjacent land in Iowa, USA (Vogel et al. 2007, same experimental set-up as Vogel et al. 2010) found that prairies which were rotationally burned and grazed had a higher abundance, but not species richness, of butterflies than prairies which only received burning or grazing, but the three management practices supported different species. The abundance of butterflies in burned and grazed prairies (31.5 individuals/unit) was higher than in prairies which were only burned (20.2 individuals/unit) or only grazed (27.8 individuals/unit). Species richness of butterflies was similar in prairies managed by burning and grazing (8.5 species/unit), only burning (8.6 species/unit) and only grazing (7.4 species/unit). Butterfly diversity was higher in prairies managed by burning only than in prairies managed by grazing only or grazing and burning (data presented as model results). However, each management practice supported different species (see paper for details). Across two remnant prairie reserves (320 and 1,800 ha) and surrounding land, 28 management units (10–167 ha) were managed consistently for ≥4 years. Ten units were burned during autumn or spring every 1–6 years. Six units were lightly grazed on rotation (1 cow-calf pair/4 ha). Twelve units were burned and grazed. From June–August 2004–2005, butterflies were surveyed for 30 minutes twice/year at 69 sites (50 × 50 m, >150 m apart) across the 28 units.
(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)
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Maintain species-rich, semi-natural grassland
A replicated, site comparison study in 2004–2005 in two remnant prairies and adjacent land in Iowa, USA (Vogel et al. 2007) found that prairies which were grazed and burned had a higher abundance, but not species richness, of butterflies than prairies which only received grazing or burning, but the three management practices supported different species. The abundance of butterflies in grazed and burned prairies (31.5 individuals/unit) was higher than in prairies which were only grazed (27.8 individuals/unit) or only burned (20.2 individuals/unit). Species richness of butterflies was similar in prairies managed by grazing and burning (8.5 species/unit), only grazing (7.4 species/unit) and only burning (8.6 species/unit). Butterfly diversity was lower in prairies managed by grazing only, or grazing and burning, than in prairies managed by burning only (data presented as model results). However, each management practice supported different species (see paper for details). Across two remnant prairie reserves (320 and 1,800 ha) and surrounding land, 28 management units (10–167 ha) were managed consistently for ≥4 years. Six units were lightly grazed on rotation (1 cow-calf pair/4 ha). Ten units were burned during autumn or spring every 1–6 years. Twelve units were burned and grazed. From June–August 2004–2005, butterflies were surveyed for 30 minutes twice/year at 69 sites (50 × 50 m, >150 m apart) across the 28 units.
(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)
