Butterfly communities respond to structural changes in forest restorations and regeneration in lowland Atlantic Forest, Parana, Brazil

Published source details Shuey J., Labus P., Carneiro E., Silva Dias F.M., Leite L.A.R. & Mielke O.H.H. (2017) Butterfly communities respond to structural changes in forest restorations and regeneration in lowland Atlantic Forest, Parana, Brazil. Journal of Insect Conservation, 21, 545-557.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Restore or create forest or woodland Action Link
	Replant native vegetation Action Link

Restore or create forest or woodland

A replicated, site comparison study in 2011 in a fragmented forest in Paraná, Brazil (Shuey et al. 2017) found that regenerating and replanted forest plots had a similar species richness of butterflies to both grazed pasture and remnant forest, but the species present differed between habitats. The number of butterfly species in regenerating (69 species) and replanted (47–102 species) forest was not significantly different from in pastures (52–59 species) or remnant forest (57–79 species). However, out of 213 butterfly species recorded, 33 were found only on restored sites (regenerating or replanted), compared to 18 species unique to pastures and 66 species unique to remnant forests. Eight sites, all >40 ha, were studied: one former pasture ungrazed for 14 years and naturally regenerating from the surrounding remnant forest, two former pastures planted with 15–20 species of native trees 12–14 years before the study, two grazed open pastures, and three intact forest remnants. In January, March and April 2011, butterflies were sampled once/month. Four baited butterfly traps were placed 1–2 m above ground, 50 m apart, in the centre of each plot, for three consecutive days/month, and checked daily. In addition, butterflies were counted on two 1-hour transects/month at each site.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)
Replant native vegetation

A replicated, site comparison study in 2011 in a fragmented forest in Paraná, Brazil (Shuey et al 2017) found that replanted and regenerating forest plots had a similar species richness of butterflies to both grazed pasture and remnant forest, but the species present differed between habitats. The number of butterfly species in replanted (47–102 species) and regenerating (69 species) forest was not significantly different from in pastures (52–59 species) or remnant forest (57–79 species). However, out of 213 butterfly species recorded, 33 were found only on restored sites (replanted or regenerating), compared to 18 species unique to pastures and 66 species unique to remnant forests. Eight sites, all >40 ha, were studied: two former pastures planted with 15–20 species of native trees 12–14 years before the study, one former pasture ungrazed for 14 years and naturally regenerating from the surrounding remnant forest, two grazed open pastures, and three intact forest remnants. In January, March and April 2011, butterflies were sampled once/month. Four baited butterfly traps were placed 1–2 m above ground, 50 m apart, in the centre of each plot, for three consecutive days/month, and checked daily. In addition, butterflies were counted on two 1-hour transects/month at each site.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)