Landscape-scale woodland restoration for multiple species in the South East Woodlands

Published source details Hoare D., Dent K., Kelly C., McLellan L., Thompson F. & Wheatley S. (2012) Landscape-scale woodland restoration for multiple species in the South East Woodlands. Pages 66-75 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
	Coppice woodland Action Link
	Clear or open patches in forests Action Link
	Release captive-bred individuals to the wild Action Link

Coppice woodland

A before-and-after study in 2007–2011 in a woodland in East Sussex, UK (Hoare et al 2012) reported that captive bred pearl-bordered fritillary Boloria euphrosyne released into woodland where a coppicing regime had been reinstated bred at least once. Results were not tested for statistical significance. In 2011, one year after the release of captive-bred adult pearl-bordered fritillaries into an area where a coppicing regime had been reinstated, their offspring were recorded at the site. At some time between 2007 and 2010 surveys showed that there was no longer a population of pearl-bordered fritillary in Rother Woods, so during this time coppicing management was reinstated (management dates not provided). Captive-bred adults (numbers not provided) were released into the site in 2010 and a survey in 2011 recorded adults of the next generation.

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

A replicated, before-and-after, site comparison study in 2006–2011 in woodlands in Hampshire, Wiltshire and Kent, UK (Hoare et al 2012) reported that in areas where patches of forest were cleared, along with cutting, grazing and ride-widening, the number of pearl-bordered fritillary Boloria euphrosyne and Duke of Burgundy Hamearis lucina breeding sites increased, whereas in a nearby area with no management pearl-bordered fritillary breeding sites decreased. In 2006, there were five pearl-bordered fritillary breeding sites in Tytherley Woods, and in 2011, after habitat management, there were 12 sites, and most populations were stable or increasing (details not provided). However, in nearby woodland without management there were 10 pearl-bordered fritillary breeding sites in 2006 and seven in 2011. In Denge Woods in 2007 there were 11 Duke of Burgundy butterflies recorded across two sites, and in 2010 after habitat management there were 173 butterflies across 10 sites (although two of these sites had not been surveyed in 2007). Results were not tested for statistical significance. In 2007–2011 habitat management was conducted in Tytherley Woods, Hampshire/Wiltshire and Denge Woods, Kent, which included clearing derelict coppice, felling non-native conifer plantations, cutting and grazing clearings and widening rides. Butterfly surveys were conducted in 2006–2010 in sites which pearl-bordered fritillary and Duke of Burgundy butterflies were known to occupy and in other suitable habitat patches.

(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)
Release captive-bred individuals to the wild

A before-and-after study in 2007–2011 in a woodland in East Sussex, UK (Hoare et al 2012) reported that captive bred pearl-bordered fritillary Boloria euphrosyne released into coppiced woodland bred at least once. Results were not tested for statistical significance. In 2011, one year after the release of some captive-bred adult pearl-bordered fritillaries (numbers not provided) into an area where they had previously gone extinct, their offspring were recorded at the site. At some time between 2007 and 2010 surveys showed that there was no longer a population of pearl-bordered fritillary in Rother Woods, so during this time coppicing management was reinstated (exact management dates not provided). Captive-bred adults were released into the site in 2010 and a survey in 2011 recorded adults of the next generation.

(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)