Abstract
Habitat demands and species mobility strongly determine the occurrence of species. Sedentary species with specific habitat requirements are assumed to occur more patchy than mobile habitat generalist species, and thus suffer stronger under habitat fragmentation and habitat deterioration. In this study we measured dispersal and habitat preference of three selected butterfly species using mark-release-recapture technique. We used data on species abundance to calculate Species Distribution Models based on high-resolution aerial photographs taken using RGB / NIR cameras mounted on a UAV. We found that microhabitats for species with specific habitat requirements occur spatially restricted. In contrast, suitable habitats are more interconnected and widespread for mobile habitat generalists. Our models indicate that even managed grassland sites have comparatively little habitat quality, while road verges provide high quality micro-habitats. In addition, dispersal was more restricted for specialist butterfly species, and higher for the two other butterfly species with less ecological specialisation. This study shows synergies arising when combining ecological data with high precision aerial pictures and Species Distribution Models, to identify micro-habitats for butterflies. This approach might be suitable to identify and conserve high quality habitats, and to improve nature conservation at the ground.
Highlights
Habitat configuration and habitat quality significantly influence the occurrence and persistence of species [1]
We found strongest dispersal for M. galathea (number of recaptured individuals, n = 85, 70.3m (SE = 3.4), intermediate dispersal for E. medusa (n = 101) 52.9m (SE = 3.5), ranging from 8–150m), and most restricted dispersal behaviour for C. arcania (n = 100, 34.5m (SE = 3.0), ranging from 5–138m)
Most suitable habitats are identified for Melanargia galathea, while suitable habitats occur more patchy for the two species Erebia medusa and Cynonympha arcania
Summary
Habitat configuration and habitat quality significantly influence the occurrence and persistence of species [1]. High precision SDMs for butterfly conservation influx of pesticides, pollutants and nitrogen [4,5] These factors drive species losses and the reduction of speciesabundances, as identified for grassland butterfly species, on calcareous grasslands [6]. This situation becomes even more precarious due to the fact that most remaining habitats are small and geographically isolated and many butterfly species show sedentary dispersal behaviour, with limited migrations across the landscape matrix [7,8]. Species demanding specific habitat requirements and with restricted dispersal suffer in particular under habitat fragmentation and the deterioration of habitat quality [10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
