A recent study conducted by researchers at Washington State University found that certain butterfly species that are at risk of extinction may benefit from active habitat management by humans. The study analyzed data from 114 populations of 31 butterfly species in 10 U.S. states and discovered that these at-risk butterflies are declining at a rate of 8% per year, leading to a 50% drop in populations over a decade. The findings, reported in the Journal of Applied Ecology, suggest that habitat management could potentially slow or reverse the sharp declines in butterfly populations.
The research team found that places where people actively manage butterfly habitats have seen better population trends. Habitat management has been shown to make a difference in the face of stressors like climate change, offering hope for the conservation of these vulnerable species. With the increasing temperatures brought on by climate change, many butterflies have been shifting the timing of their seasonal activities. While the impact of these shifts on butterfly populations is still being debated in ecology, the study found that big shifts in timing were generally bad for butterflies, with populations experiencing greater shifts more likely to decline. However, the study also revealed that habitat management could help dampen the effects of climate change on butterfly timing, with populations that received more frequent management showing smaller timing shifts.
Despite the negative population trends observed in these species, the study has provided a path forward for butterfly conservation by highlighting the importance of habitat management. Co-author Elizabeth Crone, a professor at the University of California, Davis, emphasized that local actions can have a positive impact on butterfly populations, even in the face of climate change. The study included species such as the Oregon silverspot, Taylor’s checkerspot, Karner blue, and frosted elfin, as well as the Fender’s blue, which has seen significant recovery efforts led by researchers and landowners in the Willamette Valley.
The researchers found that the type of habitat interventions selected by managers, such as prescribed burns, mowing, weeding, and planting nectar or host plants for butterfly caterpillars, were appropriate. Volunteers can assist in active habitat management by participating in new plantings and removing invasive species. Individuals can also support butterfly populations by planting pesticide-free wildflowers and plants that serve as hosts for caterpillars and provide nectar for butterflies. Reducing pesticide use in the environment can benefit butterflies and other insects. The study received funding from various organizations, including the U.S. Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey.
Overall, the study highlights the importance of habitat management in supporting at-risk butterfly species and mitigating the effects of climate change on their populations. By actively engaging with ways to manage habitats, individuals can make a positive impact on butterfly conservation efforts. The findings of the study provide hope for the future of these vulnerable species and demonstrate the potential for local actions to contribute to their recovery.