Restoring Marsh Fritillary metapopulations on Dartmoor

Published source details Plackett J., Bourn N.A. & Bulman C.R. (2012) Restoring Marsh Fritillary metapopulations on Dartmoor. Pages 6-9 in: S. Ellis, N.A. Bourn & C.R. Bulman (eds.) Landscape-scale conservation for butterflies and moths: lessons from the UK. Butterfly Conservation.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Restore or create grassland/savannas Action Link
	Restore or create habitat connectivity Action Link

Restore or create grassland/savannas

A replicated, before-and-after study in 2005–2010 in seven pastures in Devon, UK (Plackett et al 2012) reported that in areas with scrub and bracken Pteridium aquilinum control, along with some planting of devil’s bit scabious Succisa pratensis, tree felling and livestock grazing, the number of marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia populations at each site either remained the same or increased. Results were not tested for statistical significance. Five pastures had one population of marsh fritillary in 2005 and were managed with scrub and bracken control (and a mixture of devil’s bit scabious planting, tree felling and livestock grazing), after which three still had one population and two had two populations in 2010. Another two similarly managed sites did not have a population in 2005 but did in 2010. In 2005–2010, western gorse Ulex galli, willow Salix spp., soft rush Juncus effusus, greater tussocksedge Carex paniculata and bracken were managed in seven pastures. In the same period, trees were felled in two of the pastures, devil’s bit scabious was planted in one pasture and all pastures had some livestock grazing. In 2005 and 2010, surveyors conducted timed adult marsh fritillary counts during their flight season and caterpillar web counts in the autumn.

(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)
Restore or create habitat connectivity

A before-and-after study in 2005-2010 in two pastures in Devon, UK (Plackett et al 2012) reported that in areas with tree felling to create connectivity corridors between habitats, along with scrub and bracken Pteridium aquilinum control and livestock grazing, marsh fritillary Euphydryas aurinia populations increased. Results were not tested for statistical significance. Of two pastures where trees were felled, along with scrub and bracken control and livestock grazing, one had one marsh fritillary population in 2005 and in 2010, after management, had two populations, and the other had no population in 2005 but did have a population in 2010. In 2005–2010, small areas of woodland on two pastures were felled, western gorse Ulex galli, willow Salix spp., soft rush Juncus effusus, greater tussocksedge Carex paniculata and bracken were controlled, and there was some livestock grazing. In 2005 and 2010 surveyors conducted timed adult marsh fritillary counts during their flight season and caterpillar web counts in the autumn.

(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)