Butterfly Species Composition Research Articles

The relevance of cloud forest fragments and their transition zones for butterfly conservation in Taita Hills, Kenya

A main driver of biodiversity loss is the transformation of pristine habitats into agricultural land, plantations of exotic trees, and settlements. The cloud forest of the Taita Hills in southern Kenya has suffered under such transformation processes. In consequence, remaining forests are small and isolated and often provide degraded forest habitats. We studied butterfly communities in four habitat types, cloud forest, cloud forest margin, exotic tree plantations, and agricultural land. We counted butterflies along transects during the rainy and the dry season. We assessed species traits for each butterfly species found. The four habitat types harbour distinct butterfly communities with only slight overlap among each other. Community compositions differed between the dry and rainy season. Forest specialist butterflies mainly occurred in the interior of the cloud forest, but were also observable along the forest edge. Species richness was highest at the transition between pristine cloud forest and agricultural land. The butterfly community of open agricultural landscapes was dominated by common and widespread East African savannah species, equipped with more elongated wings compared with those found inside the cloud forest. Exotic tree plantations showed a mixed butterfly species composition, consisting of many common and widespread savannah species, but also forest species with comparatively low specialization. In conclusion, typical cloud forest butterflies are on the need for intact cloud forest patches and cannot be compensated by surrogate habitats, such as exotic tree plantations.

Patterns in distribution of butterfly assemblages at different habitats of Corbett Tiger Reserve, Northern India

Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR) located in state Uttarakhand is the first protected area established for in-situ conservation of biodiversity in India. Despite its national importance, there exists lacunae in knowledge on butterflies, important from the viewpoints of effective planning and implementation of conservation actions in the CTR. Using standardized methods, the present study conducted between 2013 to 2014 was aimed to record butterfly species composition and distribution in different sampling regimes of the CTR in relation to habitat types and disturbances. Study revealed a total of 2621 individual butterflies of 56 species under 5 families. Among them, 24 species belong to the Nymphalidae family, 14 species to the Pieridae, 9 species to the Lycaenidae, 5 species to the Papilionidae and 4 species to the Hesperiidae. 50% of the total species were recorded as ubiquitous and 30 species are new records to the CTR. Species such as Catopsilia pomona (Fabricius), Papilio polytes (Cramer), Eurema hecabe (Linnaeus), Catopsilia pyranthe (Linnaeus) were most abundant and Athyma zeroca (Moore), Sarangesa purendra (Moore), Cyrestis thyodamas (Boisduval), Polyura agraria (Swinhoe) were least abundant species. Variations in the calculated diversity indices across the seasons were observed; wherein, summer season exhibited maximum value for Shannon-Diversity index, followed by late monsoon and early winter. Lowest diversity of butterflies was observed during the periods of late winter. Presence of seven species under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act and five species as rare, substantiate the importance of pristine conditions prevailing in the protected landscape of the reserve. Ongoing tourism activities and habitat alterations threatening butterfly diversity and ecological integrity of the CTR, were also discussed.

Conserving woodland butterflies in managed forests: Both local and landscape factors matter

The conservation of forest biodiversity is increasingly relying on forest landscapes managed for timber production. A precondition for successful biodiversity conservation in intensively managed landscapes is a good understanding of habitat- and landscape-level drivers of species diversity. In this study, we investigated the effects of habitat characteristics and landscape context on the species richness and composition of butterflies in temperate forest landscapes routinely managed by clear-cutting. Our focus was on forest-dependent species. Even though about a quarter of the entire butterfly fauna in Europe are associated with forest habitats, the drivers of their diversity are poorly known. We used data from an unprecedentedly extensive butterfly survey, conducted in more than 400 sites distributed across all major forest types in Estonia (Northern Europe). Our data indicate that, generally, forests harvested for timber production remain suitable as habitats for forest butterflies: across the study sites, we recorded almost the full complement of their total regional species richness. By far the most influential driver of local butterfly species richness in such forests appears to be the proportion of forest cover in the surrounding landscape. The species richness of forest butterflies starts to show signs of decline at remarkably high levels of forest cover in the landscape. Surprisingly, landscape-scale forest heterogeneity around study sites had no discernible effect on local species richness, the pattern plausibly resulting from low mobility of forest butterflies. The most important habitat-scale predictor of butterfly species richness was soil moisture, with butterfly communities being most species-rich in forests on soils of intermediate moisture. Different forest types contribute to the regional species pool of forest butterflies in a complementary manner. No single forest type alone provides habitat for the entire species pool: peaks of abundance of different species are distributed across multiple forest types. Accordingly, a substantial part of the variation in species assemblages could be attributed to characteristic soil conditions (moisture and pH) of different forest types. Our findings imply that both the extent and heterogeneity of forest landscapes are important for maintaining the diversity of forest butterflies at the landscape scale.

Nature-oriented park use of satoyama ecosystems can enhance biodiversity conservation in urbanized landscapes

Satoyama is one of the semi-natural ecosystems in Japan. Traditional agricultural practices in satoyama provide preferable habitats for many species, thus, enhancing biodiversity. However, many satoyama ecosystems have been altered by agricultural intensification and rapid urbanization. Meanwhile, ageing and shrinking population has led to the abandonment of remaining satoyama ecosystems, resulting in their potential degradation. We argue that counteracting the abandonment of satoyama is particularly essential in urbanized landscapes because conserving its biodiversity would have a payoff for urban communities. We focused on nature-oriented park use of satoyama ecosystems, utilizing their original scenery, topography, water features, and vegetation. To evaluate the potential of nature-oriented park use for biodiversity conservation, we examined the differences in diversity and species composition of vascular plants and butterflies among three land-use types (agricultural-use, park-use, and abandoned sites) of satoyama ecosystems. Diversity of native plants and butterflies did not significantly differ between agricultural-use and park-use sites and that of native plants was significantly lower at abandoned sites than at agricultural-use sites. Although species composition of native plants at agricultural-use sites and park-use sites significantly differ, that of native butterflies did not. The efficacy of park use for biodiversity conservation, thus, depended on the taxa. Nonetheless, for striking a balance between the difficulty in maintaining agricultural use and accelerating satoyama abandonment, our study highlights the utility of park use as an alternative usage, contributing to biodiversity conservation. Balancing the wise use of satoyama in urbanized landscapes is a fundamental step toward the conservation of its biodiversity and human–nature interactions.

Effects of forest trails on the community structure of tropical butterflies

Understanding the ecological impacts of human disturbances is essential for the formulation of conservation strategies. This study aimed to investigate if unpaved trails (with about 5 to 6 m wide) inside forests can cause ecological changes in their surroundings. The studied group was the fruit-feeding butterflies, since they usually respond to habitat disturbances through changes in species composition. This group is also known to present a distinct distribution along a vertical gradient in tropical forests. However, in open areas, some canopy species are observed reaching the ground. Based on that, we address the following hypotheses: (1) trails inside the forest cause a disruption in the vertical stratification pattern of fruit-feeding butterfly assemblages, and (2) trails modify their community parameters. The study was carried out in a protected area in the Atlantic Forest. Butterflies were sampled monthly through 2 years with bait traps distributed in the canopy and the understory in two habitat types: (1) forest interior, and (2) edges parallel to a trail opening. Our results showed that the understory edge had a greater abundance of individuals and lower species richness when compared to the forest interior. However, the trails did not disrupt the vertical stratification pattern or modify the species composition of fruit-feeding butterflies. Therefore, their effect was not as strong as other types of human disturbances. The present results suggest trails inside forests presented a relatively low impact in the adjacent biological communities, preserving the habitat for several forest organisms and maintaining the vertical structure of biological communities along them.

Rubber agroforestry in Thailand provides some biodiversity benefits without reducing yields

Abstract Monocultural rubber plantations have replaced tropical forest, causing biodiversity loss. While protecting intact or semi‐intact biodiverse forest is paramount, improving biodiversity value within the 11.4 million hectares of existing rubber plantations could offer important conservation benefits, if yields are also maintained. Some farmers practice agroforestry with high‐yielding clonal rubber varieties to increase and diversify incomes. Here, we ask whether such rubber agroforestry improves biodiversity value or affects rubber yields relative to monoculture. We surveyed birds, fruit‐feeding butterflies and reptiles in 25 monocultural and 39 agroforest smallholder rubber plots in Thailand, the world's biggest rubber producer. Management and vegetation structure data were collected from each plot, and landscape composition around plots was quantified. Rubber yield data were collected for a separate set of 34 monocultural and 47 agroforest rubber plots in the same region. Reported rubber yields did not differ between agroforests and monocultures, meaning adoption of agroforestry in this context should not increase land demand for natural rubber. Butterfly richness was greater in agroforests, where richness increased with greater natural forest extent in the landscape. Bird and reptile richness were similar between agroforests and monocultures, but bird richness increased with the height of herbaceous vegetation inside rubber plots. Species composition of butterflies differed between agroforests and monocultures, and in response to natural forest extent, while bird composition was influenced by herbaceous vegetation height within plots, the density of non‐rubber trees within plots (representing agroforestry complexity) and natural forest extent in the landscape. Reptile composition was influenced by canopy cover and open habitat extent in the landscape. Conservation priority and forest‐dependent birds were not supported within rubber. Synthesis and applications. Rubber agroforestry using clonal varieties provides modest biodiversity benefits relative to monocultures, without compromising yields. Agroforests may also generate ecosystem service and livelihood benefits. Management of monocultural rubber production to increase inter‐row vegetation height and complexity may further benefit biodiversity. However, biodiversity losses from encroachment of rubber onto forests will not be offset by rubber agroforestry or rubber plot management. This evidence is important for developing guidelines around biodiversity‐friendly rubber and sustainable supply chains, and for farmers interested in diversifying rubber production.

Long-term large-scale decline in relative abundances of butterfly and burnet moth species across south-western Germany

Current studies have shown a severe general decline in insect species diversity, their abundance, and a biomass reduction of flying insects. Most of previous studies have been performed at single sites, or were spatially restricted at the landscape level. In this study, we analyse trends of species richness and shifts in species composition of butterflies and burnet moth species across the federal state of Baden-Württemberg in south-western Germany, covering an area of 35,750 km2. The data set consists of 233,474 records and covers a period from 1750 until today. We grouped species according to their species´ specific functional traits and analyse how species with different habitat requirements and behaviour respond to land-use changes over time. Our data document a significant loss of relative abundance for most species, especially since the 1950s until today. Species demanding specific habitat requirements are more seriously suffering under this trend than generalists. This in particular affects taxa adapted to extensively used xerothermic grasslands, bogs or other habitats maintained by traditional low-productivity agricultural practices of the past. Our data indicate large-scale decline in relative abundance of many butterfly and burnet moth species, which happened in particular during the past few decades.

A catalogue of butterflies (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera) of Azerbaijan

An annotated list of butterflies from Azerbaijan, containing 280 species, is presented. The classification and nomenclature in this work are accepted according to the key of Korb & Bolshakov (2016). The full list of species composition of butterflies of Azerbaijan numbering 280 species for today is presented for the first time, and it was supplemented by new materials collected by the first author from 2012 to 2019. We came up with the list of the total species composition of butterflies in Azerbaijan, which currently includes 280 species from 6 families (Hesperiidae - 37, Papilionidae - 10, Pieridae - 28, Lycaenidae - 100, Riodinidae - 1, Nimphalidae - 104) for today was compiled. We record Papilio demoleus demoleus Linnaeus, 1758 as a new species for the fauna of the Caucasus. Our results will help to continue biodiversity study and expand the information on the distribution of the butterflies (Papilionoformes) in Azerbaijan and the Caucasus.

Checklist of Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of Sg. Bantang, Labis Forest Reserve, Johor

This study was conducted to determine the butterfly species composition at Hutan Lipur Sg. Bantang, Labis Forest Reserve. Sampling was conducted in January, July and October 2017 through manual collection using aerial net and baited traps. A total of 149 individuals and 68 species belonging to five families (Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae, Lycaenidae and Riodinidae) were recorded during this study. The most well represented family was Nymphalidae with 37 species recorded. Butterflies from the family Hesperiidae were not represented in this study. A higher species diversity was expected in this area since it is in close proximity with Taman Negara Johor Endau Rompin (Selai). More species is expected to be recorded if sampling effort is continued.

Species Composition and Status of Butterflies across Vegetation Types in Mt. Pinamantawan Sto. Domingo, Quezon, Bukidnon, Philippines

Diversity assessment across vegetation types in Mt. Pinamantawan was carried out to provide information on the species composition and status of butterflies using plot and transect walk sampling. A total of 118 species from64 genera, and 5 families were recorded. High species composition was observed in the agroecosystem with 98 species, next was dipterocarp forest with 33 species, mossy forest with 14 species and 11 species in the montane forest. Status recorded 24 endemic species. Eight (8) were common endemic, 8 rare endemic, 2 common Mindanao endemic, 1 rare Mindanao endemic,1 common Philippine endemic, 1 rare Philippine endemic and 1 new record in Mindanao. K e ywords : Butterflies, vegetation types composition, status, Philippines

Cross-taxon congruence in insect responses to fragmentation of Brazilian Atlantic forest

Anthropogenic disturbance causes many impacts across multiple levels of biological organization from populations to ecosystems. However, the extent of cross-taxon congruence in biotic responses to disturbance, and therefore the utility of using particular taxa as indicators of broader biotic responses, is poorly known. In this study, we examine the extent to which variation in alpha diversity, beta diversity and species composition of ants, fruit-feeding butterflies, dung beetles and termites in relation to fragment size are congruent in the highly fragmented Brazilian Atlantic forest. Our results show generally low and inconsistent congruence, typically occurring for particular pairs of taxa only (such as butterflies and dung beetles for species composition, and ants and termites for Hill diversity-1D) or not at all (such as for species richness). In synthesis, there some universal community-level attributes and taxa (i.e., attributes responding consistently and congruently across taxa) have been proved to be sensitive in general. Vegetation structure and spatial location of fragments were not significant predictors of ant and termite species composition, but explained 21% and 40% of the variation in species composition of dung beetles and butterflies, respectively. In addition, we found no general increase in the ratio of generalists to specialists with decreasing fragment size. The overall lack of cross-taxon congruence means that a single taxon cannot provide a reliable indication of biotic responses to fragmentation in our study system. This can be explained by taxon-specific responses to variation in tree diversity, tree functional attributes and the spatial location of fragments. Our study therefore provides support for a multi-taxon approach to biodiversity monitoring and conservation planning.

Roads affect the spatial structure of butterfly communities in grassland patches.

Roads may have an important negative effect on animal dispersal rate and mortality and thus the functioning of local populations. However, road verges may be surrogate habitats for invertebrates. This creates a conservation dilemma around the impact of roads on invertebrates. Further, the effect of roads on invertebrates is much less understood than that on vertebrates. We studied the effect of roads on butterflies by surveying abundance, species richness and composition, and mortality in ten grassland patches along high-traffic roads (∼50–100 vehicles per hour) and ten reference grassland patches next to unpaved roads with very little traffic (<1 vehicle per day) in southern Poland. Five 200-m transects parallel to the road were established in every grassland patch: at a road verge, 25 m from the verge, in the patch interior, and 25 m from the boundary between the grassland and field and at the grassland-arable field boundary. Moreover, one 200-m transect located on a road was established to collect roadkilled butterflies. The butterfly species richness but not abundance was slightly higher in grassland patches adjacent to roads than in reference grassland patches. Butterfly species composition in grasslands adjacent to roads differed from that in the reference patches. Proximity of a road increased variability in butterfly abundances within grassland patches. Grassland patches bordering roads had higher butterfly abundance and variation in species composition in some parts of the grassland patch than in other parts. These effects were not found in reference grassland patches, where butterfly species and abundance were more homogenously distributed in a patch. Plant species composition did not explain butterfly species. However, variance partitioning revealed that the presence of a road explained the highest proportion of variation in butterfly species composition, followed by plant species richness and abundance in grassland patches. Road mortality was low, and the number of roadkilled butterflies was less than 5% of that of all live butterflies. Nevertheless, the number and species composition of roadkilled butterflies were well explained by the butterfly communities living in road verges but not by total butterfly community structure in grassland patches. This study is the first to show that butterfly assemblages are altered by roads. These results indicate that: (1) grassland patches located near roads are at least as good habitats for butterflies as reference grassland patches are, (2) roads create a gradient of local environmental conditions that increases variation in the abundance of certain species and perhaps increases total species richness in grassland patches located along roads, and (3) the impact of roads on butterflies is at least partially independent of the effect of plants on butterflies. Furthermore, (4) the direct impact of road mortality is probably spatially limited to butterflies living in close proximity to roads.

Ecological Impacts of Oil-Palm Plantation on Butterfly and Bird Species Diversity

The expansion of oil-palm plantations in Indonesia is often blamed as the driving causes of deforestation and impacts on environmental changes including the destructed biodiversity. Our understanding regarding environmental impacts on biodiversity is still limited. We address this issue by examining the diversity of butterfly and bird species under two type habitat conditions in Central Borneo. We calculated the butterfly and bird species number, richness, evenness, similarity, and composition inside the established oil-plantation area comprising four large-scale plantations and seven smallholding plantations, as habitat after plantation establishment. In comparison, we did so similarly inside secondary forest and shrubs, as habitat before oil-palm plantation establishment. Our results revealed that the habitat after plantation establishment exhibited a higher number of butterfly and bird species than the habitat beforehand. However, the richness, evenness, and similarity indices for the species revealed variations, which were affected by dominant species in two habitats. The establishment of oil-palm plantation brought about significant impacts on the composition of species and affected the species similarities between two habitats. The oil-palm plantation landscape and reserved forest vegetation were essential in supporting diversity and ecological role of species on habitat condition after oil-palm plantation establishment.

Seasonality overrides differences in butterfly species composition between natural and anthropogenic forest habitats

AbstractAnthropogenic disturbances that alter habitat structures can lead to strong changes in species composition. The importance of certain habitat features for structuring species composition, however, may be determined by the availability of resources that can seasonally fluctuate. The Kenyan Arabuko Sokoke coastal forest consists of three pristine forest types and provides various anthropogenic forest‐like habitats, such as plantations and transition zones between forest and agricultural land. In parallel, this region experiences pronounced climatic seasonality which causes differences in resource availability. To test for potential differences in butterfly communities between natural and anthropogenic forest habitats, and whether they vary seasonally, we assessed butterfly species along transects in all five habitat types during the rainy and the consecutive dry season. We compiled ecological characteristics for each transect and for each butterfly species. We found highest species richness and abundances in the three natural forest habitats during the rainy season. Our data show distinct species clusters for each habitat type during the rainy season. In contrast, butterfly species composition does not form distinct community groups during the dry season. During this time period, highest species richness and abundances are found in plantations. These temporal differences in species richness, abundance and species composition between the two seasons are assumed to be driven by limited nectar availability inside of the forest during the dry season. This situation might lead to increased mobility and the invasion of anthropogenic habitats, where nectar sources are still available during the dry season. Thus, plantations might represent a surrogate habitat for forest butterflies during their imaginal stage, but do not represent a suitable habitat providing all resources needed for successful larval development.

Taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic perspectives on butterfly spatial assembly in northern Amazonia

1. Understanding the causes of the spatial variation of biodiversity is an important goal in community ecology. This study investigated the response of fruit‐feeding butterfly assemblages to environmental gradients resulting from the transition from ombrophilous forests to white‐sand forests in northern Brazil by assessing taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic descriptors of community structure.2. Butterflies were sampled with bait traps in the Brazilian Amazon, while their traits and phylogenetic relatedness were either measured directly or gathered from the literature. Then, the effects of plant species turnover, light intensity, and flood risk on butterfly community patterns were tested.3. Butterfly abundance increased with light intensity in non‐forested white‐sand habitats, whereas ombrophilous forests harboured higher species richness. A trade‐off was observed between richness and abundance across the gradient. Plant turnover strongly drove shifts in butterfly species composition. In white‐sand habitats, butterflies had higher dispersal capacity, faster flights and generalist larvae, whereas in periodically flooded plots the functional diversity of flight‐related traits was higher. No phylogenetic response to environmental gradients was detected.4. These results exposed the complexity of community structure across a mosaic landscape and how analysing more than one dimension of biodiversity may reveal underlying relationships not apparent under isolated approaches. Caution is required when using phylogeny as a proxy for functional similarity, as the responses were not congruent in this study. The ecological patterns revealed here, aligned with further regional‐scale studies, can provide complementary perspectives on butterfly spatial distribution and ensure that appropriate conservation policies are developed.

Management of semi-natural grasslands benefiting both plant and insect diversity: The importance of heterogeneity and tradition

Abstract Biodiversity of semi-natural grasslands depends on the management practices used. However, management systems suitable for one taxon, such as plants, can be detrimental to other taxa, such as insects, and vice versa. This study attempts to support conservation management planning by clarifying the effects of different grassland management practices on species richness and species composition of vascular plants, butterflies, moths, orthopterans and ground beetles, also taking into account the effects of climate and the landscape context. The study was performed in the White Carpathians Protected Landcape Area and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (Czech Republic), which is famous for its grasslands with the globally highest fine-scale plant species richness. Different management practices (mowing, grazing, abandonment and mixed management; the latter including the previous three) were applied for at least five consecutive years at 34 sites, where plants and different insect groups were subsequently sampled. Effects of management on species richness of different taxonomic groups were assessed using generalised linear models, whereas the effects on species composition were assessed using redundancy analysis. Management influenced plant, butterfly and moth species richness, but the effects of particular management practices on all species and species of regional conservation importance differed between these taxonomic groups. Plant and moth species richness increased with mowing, but moth species richness decreased with grazing. Mixed management favoured plant and butterfly richness. Plant species composition was infuenced by mowing, grazing and mixed management while that of moths by mowing and grazing. Orthopterans and ground beetles did not respond significantly to management. Our results indicate that conservation management should comprise the traditional practices that have historically contributed to the formation of the biological diversity of the semi-natural grasslands in the study area. In particular, grazing may not be optimal for traditional hay-meadows and mowing should be carried out similarly as in pre-intensive farmland, creating spatio-temporal heterogeneity rather than uniformly cutting large grassland areas during a short period. In general, the optimal management should be heterogeneous, applying different practices in a mosaic or at different times during the season.

Diversity of fruit-feeding butterflies in a mountaintop archipelago of rainforest.

We provide the first description of the effects of local vegetation and landscape structure on the fruit-feeding butterfly community of a natural archipelago of montane rainforest islands in the Serra do Espinhaço, southeastern Brazil. Butterflies were collected with bait traps in eleven forest islands through both dry and rainy seasons for two consecutive years. The influence of local and landscape parameters and seasonality on butterfly species richness, abundance and composition were analyzed. We also examined the partitioning and decomposition of temporal and spatial beta diversity. Five hundred and twelve fruit-feeding butterflies belonging to thirty-four species were recorded. Butterfly species richness and abundance were higher on islands with greater canopy openness in the dry season. On the other hand, islands with greater understory coverage hosted higher species richness in the rainy season. Instead, the butterfly species richness was higher with lower understory coverage in the dry season. Butterfly abundance was not influenced by understory cover. The landscape metrics of area and isolation had no effect on species richness and abundance. The composition of butterfly communities in the forest islands was not randomly structured. The butterfly communities were dependent on local and landscape effects, and the mechanism of turnover was the main source of variation in β diversity. The preservation of this mountain rainforest island complex is vital for the maintenance of fruit-feeding butterfly community; one island does not reflect the diversity found in the whole archipelago.

富士山麓・上ノ原草原における人為的管理が吸蜜植物の開花とチョウ類(成虫)の種組成に与える影響

富士山麓・上ノ原草原における人為的管理が吸蜜植物の開花とチョウ類(成虫)の種組成に与える影響

Butterflies take advantage of contemporary forestry: Clear-cuts as temporary grasslands

Contemporary forest landscapes in boreal and temperate environments, harvested by clear-cutting, contain various novel types of open spaces which are potentially suitable for species inhabiting natural or semi-natural open habitats. However, systematic analyses identifying the share of the regional species pool that can take advantage of this opportunity are missing. We assessed the importance of such forest openings for open-habitat butterflies in Estonia in Northern Europe by comparing butterfly species richness and composition in forest clear-cuts with their regional species pool. The species richness of butterflies in clear-cuts appeared to be remarkably high: we recorded altogether 81% of the total regional species pool across the study sites. Clear-cuts were inhabited by a very high share (79%) of regionally occurring grassland species, as well as nearly complete sets of open-habitat generalists and forest species. Redundancy analysis showed that clear-cuts in forests with different environmental characteristics harbour distinct butterfly assemblages, their contribution to the butterfly fauna in forest landscapes being thus complementary. This as well as several other lines of evidence indicate that most butterfly species can form resident populations in harvested forest landscapes. Our findings demonstrate that considering novel types of forest openings as ‘temporary meadows’ can substantially improve the conservation prospects for butterflies and other organisms that have traditionally been considered to inhabit grasslands and other open habitats in agricultural landscapes. Human-altered ecosystems may thus prove to be a viable alternative where restoring or maintaining natural and semi-natural habitats is impossible.

Consequences for selected high-elevation butterflies and moths from the spread ofPinus mugointo the alpine zone in the High Sudetes Mountains

Due to changes in the global climate, isolated alpine sites have become one of the most vulnerable habitats worldwide. The indigenous fauna in these habitats is threatened by an invasive species, dwarf pine (Pinus mugo), which is highly competitive and could be important in determining the composition of the invertebrate community. In this study, the association of species richness and abundance of butterflies with the extent of Pinus mugo cover at individual alpine sites was determined. Butterflies at alpine sites in the High Sudetes Mountains (Mts.) were sampled using Moericke yellow water traps. The results of a Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) indicated that at a local scale the area of alpine habitats is the main limiting factor for native species of alpine butterflies. Butterfly assemblages are associated with distance to the tree-line with the optimum situated in the lower forest zone. In addition the CCA revealed that biotic factors (i.e. Pinus mugo and alpine tundra vegetation) accounted for a significant amount of the variability in species data. Regionally, the CCA identified that the species composition of butterflies and moths is associated with presence and origin of Pinus mugo. Our study provides evidence that the structure of the Lepidopteran fauna that formed during the postglacial period and also the present composition of species assemblages is associated with the presence of Pinus mugo. With global warming, Pinus mugo has the potential to spread further into alpine areas and negatively affect the local species communities.