The changing status of the chalkhill blue butterfly Polyommatus coridon in the UK: the impacts of conservation policies and environmental factors

Published source details Brereton T.M., Warren M.S., Roy D.B. & Stewart K. (2008) The changing status of the chalkhill blue butterfly Polyommatus coridon in the UK: the impacts of conservation policies and environmental factors. Journal of Insect Conservation, 12, 629-638.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Legally protect habitat Action Link
	Pay farmers to cover the costs of conservation measures (as in agri-environment schemes or conservation incentives) Action Link
	Pay farmers to cover the cost of conservation measures (as in agri-environment schemes) Action Link

Legally protect habitat

A replicated, site comparison study in 1991–2000 in 152 grassland sites across southern England, UK (Brereton et al. 2008) found that chalkhill blue Polyommatus coridon abundance changes were not different in statutory protected sites and sites without statutory protection. There was no difference in the abundance change of chalkhill blues at 111 sites with statutory protected status (Site of Special Scientific Interest or National Nature Reserve) and 41 sites without statutory protection (data not reported). Chalkhill blues were counted annually from 1991 to 2000, at 152 sites across its entire UK range. This was part of the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, which takes weekly transect counts along a set route at each site and follows standardized weather conditions.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon)
Pay farmers to cover the costs of conservation measures (as in agri-environment schemes or conservation incentives)

A replicated, site comparison study in 1991–2000 in 128 grassland sites across southern England, UK (Brereton et al. 2008) found that chalkhill blue Polyommatus coridon abundance increased more on sites with agri-environment scheme agreements than sites without agreements. Chalkhill blue numbers increased on average 3.2%/year at 66 sites with Countryside Stewardship Scheme or Environmentally Sensitive Area agreements, compared to a non-significant decline of -2.7%/year at 62 non-scheme sites. Chalkhill blues were counted annually from 1991 to 2000, at 128 sites across its entire UK range. This was part of the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, which takes weekly transect counts along a set route at each site and follows standardized weather conditions.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon, edited from Farmland synopsis)
Pay farmers to cover the cost of conservation measures (as in agri-environment schemes)

A replicated site comparison study over 20 years in the UK (Brereton et al. 2008) found that chalkhill blue butterflies Polyommatus coridon increased more on sites with agri-environment scheme agreements than sites without. Chalkhill blue numbers increased on average 3.16%/year at 66 sites with Countryside Stewardship Scheme or Environmentally Sensitive Area agreements, compared to no significant trend at non-scheme sites. Chalkhill blues were counted annually from 1981 to 2000, at 161 sites across its entire UK range. This was part of the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme, which takes weekly transect counts along a set route at each site and follows standardized weather conditions.