Digging scrapes to enhance silver-studded blue Plebejus argus habitat at Broadcroft Quarry, Isle of Portland, Dorset, England
-
Published source details
de Whalley L., de Whalley B., Green P., Gammon N. & Shreeves W. (2006) Digging scrapes to enhance silver-studded blue Plebejus argus habitat at Broadcroft Quarry, Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. Conservation Evidence, 3, 39-43.
Published source details de Whalley L., de Whalley B., Green P., Gammon N. & Shreeves W. (2006) Digging scrapes to enhance silver-studded blue Plebejus argus habitat at Broadcroft Quarry, Isle of Portland, Dorset, England. Conservation Evidence, 3, 39-43.
Summary
Scrapes totalling 0.2 ha were dug and the excavated material used to create windbreaks in an attempt to enhance silver-studded blue butterfly Plebejus argus habitat at a quarry in southern England. Populations of silver-studded blue and small blue Cupido minimus butterflies increased over the next two years; however, it is unclear whether management alone and/or recent favourable weather in winter and spring was responsible for these increases. The scrapes led to re-colonisation by black ants Lasius alienus and an increase in the silver-studded blue's food plant, bird's-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus.
Output references
|