Study

Evidence-based assessment of butterfly habitat restoration to enhance management practices

  • Published source details Heer P., Pellet J., Sierro A. & Arletazz R. (2013) Evidence-based assessment of butterfly habitat restoration to enhance management practices. Biodiversity and Conservation, 22, 239-252.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Replant native vegetation

Action Link
Butterfly and Moth Conservation
  1. Replant native vegetation

    A study in 2010 in vineyards in Valais, Switzerland (Heer et al. 2013) reported that planted bladder senna Colutea arborescens were used by Iolas blue butterflies Iolana iolas. Four to 10 years after planting, 19 out of 38 patches of planted bladder senna were occupied by Iolas blue, although total butterfly numbers were low (generally <15 individuals/patch). From 2000–2006, a total of 38 patches of 1–12 bladder senna seedlings were planted across a 10 km2 south-facing hillside at 500–950 m altitude. Seedlings were collected from local shrubs in mid-November, and watered 2–3 times during dry periods in their first year. Prior to planting, two natural patches of bladder senna in the area were known to support Iolas blue butterflies. In 2010, all 38 patches were surveyed at least once/week throughout the flight season. The number of Iolas blue within 5 m of the patch were recorded for 10 minutes.

    (Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)

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