From forest to farmland: butterfly diversity and habitat associations along a gradient of forest conversion in Southwestern Cameroon

Published source details Bobo K.S., Waltert M., Fermon H., Njokagbor J. & Muhlenberg M. (2006) From forest to farmland: butterfly diversity and habitat associations along a gradient of forest conversion in Southwestern Cameroon. Journal of Insect Conservation, 10, 29-42.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Restore or create forest or woodland Action Link

Restore or create forest or woodland

A replicated, site comparison study in 2003–2004 in 24 sites in a forested landscape in the Korup Region, Cameroon (Bobo et al. 2006) found that secondary forest had a similar abundance and species richness of butterflies to agroforestry sites, but a higher abundance and species richness than cropland. The abundance of butterflies was similar in secondary forest (310 individuals) and agroforestry (412 individuals), but was higher than in near-primary forest (270 individuals) and cropland (175 individuals). Butterfly species richness was similar in secondary forest (44 species), agroforestry (36 species) and near-primary forest (35 species), but higher than in cropland (17 species). Six out of 119 species were more abundant in secondary forest than in both agroforestry and cropland. However, seven species were less abundant in secondary forest than agroforestry or cropland. Two species were less abundant in secondary forest, agroforestry and cropland than in near-primary forest (see paper for details). Six 50-m radius sample sites, >500 m apart, were established in each of four habitat types: secondary forest, cocoa/coffee plantation (agroforestry), near-primary forest and annual cropland. From late December 2003–early March 2004, butterflies were caught in three baited, cylindrical gauze-traps/site, set for nine days/site.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)