Study

The impact of management on Pearl-bordered Fritillary populations in the Wyre Forest

  • Published source details Joy J. & Ellis S. (2012) The impact of management on Pearl-bordered Fritillary populations in the Wyre Forest. Pages 30-35 in: S. Ellis, N.A. Bourn & C.R. Bulman (eds.) Landscape-scale conservation for butterflies and moths: Lessons from the UK. Butterfly Conservation.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Restore or create forest or woodland

Action Link
Butterfly and Moth Conservation
  1. Restore or create forest or woodland

    A before-and-after study in 2007–2012 in a woodland in Worcestershire, UK (Joy and Ellis, 2012) reported that when coppicing, clear-felling, ride management, scrub clearing, scalloping and grazing were being carried out, pearl-bordered fritillary Boloria euphrosyne, wood white Leptidea sinapis and grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae numbers increased. Results were not tested for statistical significance. Four years after management began, 13 of 21 newly created potential pearl-bordered fritillary breeding sites were occupied. The year before the new management regime began, there were 10 small and six medium pearl-bordered fritillary populations, occupying 27 ha, compared to 16 small, three medium and 11 large populations, occupying 52 ha three years afterwards. Over the same period, a wood white population increased and an additional population was established (numbers not given). Grizzled skipper numbers also increased (numbers not given). From 2008–2012 coppicing, clear-felling, ride management (including scalloping), scrub clearing and grazing were conducted in at least 58 locations in the Wyre Forest. Woodland management was conducted prior to this time, at least from 2002, but details are not given. Butterfly transects were conducted annually at two sites and timed counts at at least 10 sites. Populations of pearl-bordered fritillary were defined as small (≤20 individuals), medium (21–49) or large (≥50) based on butterflies seen during timed counts.

    (Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust