Investigate the ecology, behaviour, and conservation of three threatened butterfly species (Euphydryas aurinia, Parnassius apollo, and Phengaris arion) on Gotland, with a focus on population dynamics, dispersal patterns, and habitat requirements. The project aims to inform conservation strategies to protect and manage these species in their natural habitats.
Project outline:
> Conduct mark-recapture studies to estimate the population sizes, density, and lifespans of the three butterfly species across Gotland.
> Utilize grid-based surveying to monitor changes in population distribution over time, identifying core habitats and regions of high butterfly density.
.
> Analyze butterfly dispersal patterns using mark-recapture data and movement kernels. Focus on understanding the distance travelled by individuals and how this varies between species and sexes.
> Investigate density-dependent dispersal mechanisms to determine how local population density influences emigration and immigration rates.
> Study the habitat preferences of each species, focusing on semi-natural grasslands, calcareous grasslands, alvar habitats, and their associated floral resources.
> Identify and map current threats, such as habitat degradation, land-use changes, limestone quarry expansions, agricultural intensification, and climate change.
> Assess the impact of habitat quality and connectivity on the population viability of each species.
> Examine sex-based differences in dispersal behaviour, mating patterns, and resource use, especially focusing on factors influencing female site fidelity and male mobility.
> Study the behavioural responses of butterflies to environmental factors such as temperature, precipitation, and habitat structure.
> Establish a long-term monitoring program to track changes in population sizes, distribution, and dispersal patterns over time.
> Develop and propose conservation strategies tailored to the specific needs of each species, such as habitat management practices (e.g., traditional grazing, mowing) and the creation of habitat corridors to support metapopulation dynamics.
> Promote adaptive management approaches to ensure the persistence of these butterfly populations in a changing landscape.
> Engage with local communities and stakeholders to raise awareness of butterfly conservation and the importance of semi-natural habitats.
> Develop educational materials and citizen science initiatives to involve the public in monitoring efforts and habitat restoration activities.
Expected outcomes
This project will enhance our understanding of the ecology and behaviour of threatened butterfly species on Gotland. It will provide valuable insights into the effects of habitat fragmentation, density-dependent dispersal, and the implications for conservation management. By identifying key habitats and proposing evidence-based conservation strategies, the project aims to contribute to the long-term survival of these species in the face of environmental change.
Projects ideas:
Investigate the population trends of the rattle grasshopper in Östergötland over the past two decades. Use habitat quality, climate change, and conservation efforts as key variables to understand population fluctuations.
Evaluate the effectiveness of habitat restoration activities for Psophus stridulus. This project can involve field assessments of restored habitats and analysis of population recovery post-restoration.
Study the metapopulation structure of Psophus stridulus in Östergötland. Assess genetic diversity among fragmented populations to understand connectivity and gene flow between habitats.
Investigate how changing climate patterns affect the life cycle of Psophus stridulus, particularly focusing on the impact of temperature and precipitation on nymph development and survival rates.
Explore how different grazing regimes influence the habitat quality for Psophus stridulus. This project could include the development of guidelines for optimal grazing practices to support grasshopper populations.
Assess the impact of invasive species and predators on the survival and breeding success of Psophus stridulus. Determine management strategies to mitigate these threats.
Develop a citizen science program to involve the public in monitoring Psophus stridulus populations. Evaluate the program’s effectiveness in increasing awareness and data collection.
Investigate the role of controlled burns in creating suitable habitats for Psophus stridulus. Study the historical and contemporary effects of fire on grasshopper habitats.
Conduct detailed studies on the microhabitat preferences of Psophus stridulus at different life stages. This project would involve vegetation surveys and microclimate measurements to identify critical habitat features.
Use genetic techniques to assess the genetic diversity of Psophus stridulus populations. Determine if inbreeding or genetic bottlenecks are limiting the species’ recovery in Östergötland.
Project ideas:
Conduct a comparative study of oak and spruce trees in mixed-species stands. Measure growth rates, health, and resilience to environmental stressors such as drought, pests, and diseases. This project aims to evaluate the potential of oak trees to replace less suitable species like spruce in southern Sweden’s changing climate, contributing to forest management strategies that enhance ecosystem resilience.
Investigate the biodiversity within oak forests by conducting surveys of various taxa, including plants, insects, birds, and fungi. Assess how oak tree density, age structure, and health influence the richness and abundance of species. This project will help understand the role of oaks in supporting diverse ecosystems and identify management practices that can enhance biodiversity in oak forests, contributing to the conservation of native species and overall ecosystem stability.
Study the biodiversity at Finsjöbrännan, the site of a significant forest fire in Småland, to understand how fire events impact species diversity and ecosystem recovery. This project will focus on the immediate and long-term effects of the fire on various taxa, including plants, insects, birds, fungi, and soil microorganisms, and how these ecosystems recover over time.
Project outlines:
> Conduct an initial survey to document the current biodiversity at the burnt site and in adjacent unburnt areas as a control. Record plant species, insects, birds, fungi, and soil microorganisms.
> Use methods like quadrat sampling for plants, pitfall traps and sweep nets for insects, bird point counts, and soil sampling for microbial diversity analysis through DNA sequencing.
> Compare biodiversity data between the burnt and unburnt areas to identify the immediate impact of the fire on species richness, abundance, and community structure.
> Focus on fire-adapted species, changes in vegetation structure, and the presence of pioneer species that thrive in post-fire environments.
> Establish permanent plots within the burnt area to monitor changes in biodiversity over time. Conduct regular surveys (e.g., annually) to track succession stages, species colonization, and ecosystem recovery.
> Assess how the fire influences the arrival and establishment of different species, particularly those that are fire-adapted or rely on open habitats created by fire.
> Study the role of different taxa in the recovery process. For example, assess how insect communities (e.g., ants, beetles) and fungi (e.g., mycorrhizal fungi) contribute to soil health and vegetation regrowth.
> Examine how plant-insect and plant-mycorrhizal interactions evolve in the post-fire environment and influence ecosystem recovery.
> Measure changes in habitat structure (e.g., canopy cover, ground cover) and microclimate (e.g., soil temperature, moisture) in the burnt area.
> Analyze how these factors affect species distribution and habitat suitability for different organisms.
> Use findings to inform forest management practices, focusing on the role of natural fires and controlled burns in maintaining biodiversity.
> Provide recommendations for promoting species resilience and biodiversity conservation in fire-prone forest ecosystems, particularly for the oak and pine forests of southern Sweden.
Expected outcomes
This project will contribute to understanding the role of fire in shaping biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics. It will offer insights into how species and ecosystems respond to fire events, guiding future forest management practices to enhance biodiversity conservation and promote climate-resilient forest landscapes.
