Restoring very small fragmented landscapes for the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary in the Durham Coalfield Pennine Fringe

Published source details Ellis S. & Wainwright D. (2012) Restoring very small fragmented landscapes for the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary in the Durham Coalfield Pennine Fringe. Pages 48-51 in: S. Ellis, N.A. Bourn & C.R. Bulman (eds.) Landscape-scale conservation for butterflies and moths: lessons from the UK. Butterfly Conservation.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Restore or create grassland/savannas Action Link

Restore or create grassland/savannas

A replicated, before-and-after study in 2002–2009 in six grassland sites in County Durham, UK (Ellis and Wainwright 2012) reported that following scrub and bracken control, mowing, planting of marsh violet Viola palustris and common dog-violet Viola riviniana, grazing management and shelterbelt planting, the area occupied by small pearl-bordered fritillary Boloria selene increased. Results were not tested for statistical significance. In 2000, two years before management, small pearl-bordered fritillary were recorded as occupying 1.10 ha at 4 of 4 surveyed sites. Seven years after management started they were recorded across 5.99 ha over 6 of 6 surveyed sites, although 2.95 ha of this across three sites were not surveyed in 2000. Of the four sites that were surveyed in their entirety in 2000, the area occupied by small pearl-bordered fritillary increased in three of them. From 2002, scrub and bracken were controlled and grass was mowed at all sites (frequency not given). Grazing compartments of an average of 1.2 ha were installed at five sites but they remained ungrazed or lightly grazed by sheep until after 2009. At two sites, either 0.06 ha or 0.09 ha of violets were planted. Six areas of shelterbelt were planted at one site. Butterfly transects were conducted annually in 2000–2009, except at one site where weekly transects were conducted from 2004 (annual surveying months not given). The total area surveyed in each year is not given.

(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)