Land management impacts on European butterflies of conservation concern: A review

Published source details Bubova T., Vrabec V., Kulma M. & Nowicki P. (2015) Land management impacts on European butterflies of conservation concern: A review. Journal of Insect Conservation, 19, 805-821.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Use rotational mowing Action Link
	Reduce grazing intensity on grassland by seasonal removal of livestock Action Link
	Reduce grazing intensity on grassland by reducing stocking density Action Link
	Clear or open patches in forests Action Link
	Use prescribed fire to maintain or restore disturbance in grasslands or other open habitats Action Link
	Cease grazing on grassland to allow early succession Action Link

Use rotational mowing

A review in 2015 of 126 studies in Europe (Bubová et al. 2015) reported that rotational mowing of grassland benefitted 27 out of 67 butterfly species of conservation concern. Results were not tested for statistical significance. The review reported that 30 studies found that rotational mowing benefitted 27 butterfly species. See paper for information on individual species. Meadows were mown in rotation at low intensity, with different fragments cut at different times, and with a single fragment mown no more than once/year. Rotational mowing was often combined with extensive grazing. The review focussed on 67 butterfly species of conservation concern. The available information was biased towards studies in Northern and Western Europe.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)
Reduce grazing intensity on grassland by seasonal removal of livestock

A review in 2015 of 126 studies in Europe (Bubová et al. 2015) reported that reducing grazing intensity on grassland benefitted 41 out of 67 butterfly species of conservation concern. Results were not tested for statistical significance. The review reported that 44 studies found that reducing grazing intensity benefitted 41 butterfly species, but did not distinguish between using seasonal grazing and reducing stocking density. Grazing was most beneficial in autumn (September–November) and spring (April), but was potentially harmful in late spring to mid-summer (data not presented). See paper for information on individual species. Meadows were extensively grazed by different livestock and at different times, sometimes with rotational mowing. The review focussed on 67 butterfly species of conservation concern. The available information was biased towards studies in Northern and Western Europe.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)
Reduce grazing intensity on grassland by reducing stocking density

A review in 2015 of 126 studies in Europe (Bubová et al. 2015) reported that reducing grazing intensity on grassland benefitted 41 out of 67 butterfly species of conservation concern. Results were not tested for statistical significance. The review reported that 44 studies found that reducing grazing intensity benefitted 41 butterfly species, but did not distinguish between reducing stocking density and using seasonal grazing. The optimal grazing intensity was 0.2–0.5 livestock/ha (data not presented). See paper for information on individual species. Meadows were extensively grazed by different livestock and at different times, sometimes with rotational mowing. The review focussed on 67 butterfly species of conservation concern. The available information was biased towards studies in Northern and Western Europe.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)
Clear or open patches in forests

A review in 2015 of 126 studies in Europe (Bubová et al. 2015) reported that maintaining sparse forest stands by clearing small patches benefitted 19 out of 67 butterfly species of conservation concern. Results were not tested for statistical significance. The review reported that 23 studies found that clearing and maintaining open areas in woodland benefitted 19 butterfly species. See paper for information on individual species. Clearings were created and maintained by felling trees, suppressing the growth of seedlings in glades, grazing forests, and coppicing. The review focussed on 67 butterfly species of conservation concern. The available information was biased towards studies in Northern and Western Europe.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)
Use prescribed fire to maintain or restore disturbance in grasslands or other open habitats

A review in 2015 of 126 studies in Europe (Bubová et al. 2015) reported that occasional burning on grassland benefitted 10 out of 67 butterfly species of conservation concern. Results were not tested for statistical significance. The review reported that seven studies found that occasional burning benefitted 10 butterfly species (large heath Coenonympha tullia, woodland grayling Hipparchia fagi, rock grayling Hipparchia hermione, tree grayling Hipparchia statilinus, Iolas blue Iolana iolas, large blue Phengaris arion, scarce large blue Phengaris teleius, zephyr blue Plebejus pylaon, Piedmont anomalous blue Polyommatus humedasae, Kolev’s anomalous blue Polyommatus orphicus). The authors suggested that negative short-term impacts of burning can be reduced by leaving small areas of land unburned, and by burning in winter or early spring (data not presented). Meadows were burned in different patterns and at different times of year. The review focussed on 67 butterfly species of conservation concern. The available information was biased towards studies in Northern and Western Europe.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)
Cease grazing on grassland to allow early succession

A review in 2015 of 126 studies in Europe (Bubová et al. 2015) reported that abandoning grassland to allow early succession benefitted six out of 67 butterfly species of conservation concern. Results were not tested for statistical significance. The review reported that six studies found that abandoning grassland benefitted six butterfly species (blue argus Aricia anteros, large heath Coenonympha tullia, El Hierro grayling Hipparchia bacchus, Zullich's blue Plebejus zullichi, Lulworth skipper Thymelicus action and Turanana taygetica). Grazing was abandoned on meadows to allow taller vegetation and shrubs to develop, but the optimal length of time for abandonment is not given. The review focussed on 67 butterfly species of conservation concern. The available information was biased towards studies in Northern and Western Europe.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)