Effect of sward type and management on butterfly numbers in the uplands

Published source details Fraser M.D., Evans J.G., Davies D.W.R. & Vale J.E. (2008) Effect of sward type and management on butterfly numbers in the uplands. Aspects of Applied Biology, 85, 15-18.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Reduce grazing intensity on grassland by seasonal removal of livestock Action Link
	Employ areas of semi-natural habitat for rough grazing (includes salt marsh, lowland heath, bog, fen) Action Link
	Employ areas of semi-natural habitat for rough grazing (includes salt marsh, lowland heath, bog, fen) Action Link
	Reduce grazing intensity on grassland (including seasonal removal of livestock) Action Link

Reduce grazing intensity on grassland by seasonal removal of livestock

A replicated, controlled study in 2005–2007 at an upland site in the UK (exact location not given) (Fraser et al. 2008) found that improved grassland from which cattle were excluded in summer had a similar abundance and species richness of butterflies to permanently grazed grassland. In exclusion plots, the abundance (15–67 individuals) and species richness (5–10 species) of butterflies was similar to permanently grazed plots (abundance: 42–156 individuals; richness: 7–11 species). Ten plots of improved perennial rye grass Lolium perenne/white clover Trifolium repens were grazed in spring and autumn, but had livestock excluded from May–September and one silage cut taken. Ten similar plots were grazed throughout the growing season by livestock. Butterfly transect counts were conducted weekly from mid-April to mid-September 2005–2007.

(Summarised by: Andew Bladon, edited from Farmland Synopsis)
Employ areas of semi-natural habitat for rough grazing (includes salt marsh, lowland heath, bog, fen)

A replicated, site comparison study in 2005–2007 at an upland site in the UK (exact location not given) (Fraser et al. 2008) found that cattle-grazed semi-natural upland rough grassland had a higher abundance and species richness of butterflies than permanently or partially grazed improved pasture. In semi-natural rough grassland, the abundance (905–1,938 individuals) and species richness (15–17 species) of butterflies was higher than either permanently grazed (abundance: 42–156 individuals; richness: 7–11 species) or partially grazed (abundance: 15–67 individuals; richness: 5–10 species) improved pasture. Eight butterfly species were found exclusively on the semi-natural grassland. Six semi-natural plots dominated by purple moor grass Molinia caerulea were grazed from June–September. Ten plots of improved perennial rye grass Lolium perenne/white clover Trifolium repens were grazed throughout the growing season by livestock. Ten similar plots were grazed in spring and autumn, but had livestock excluded from May–September and one silage cut taken. Butterfly transect counts were conducted weekly from mid-April to mid-September 2005–2007.

(Summarised by: Andrew Bladon, edited from Farmland Synopsis)
Employ areas of semi-natural habitat for rough grazing (includes salt marsh, lowland heath, bog, fen)

A replicated trial in 2005-2007 of cattle grazing on six experimental plots of semi-natural upland grassland dominated by purple moor grass Molinia caerulea in the UK (Fraser et al. 2008) found more butterfly (Lepidoptera) species and significantly more individual butterflies than on permanently or partially grazed plots of improved pasture. Between 15 and 17 butterfly species (905-1938 individual butterflies) were recorded on the semi-natural plots in each year, compared to 7-11 species (42-156 butterflies) on ten continually grazed and 5-10 species (21-67 butterflies) on ten partially grazed plots of improved pasture. The semi-natural plots were grazed from June to September, while the partially grazed improved plots were grazed in spring and autumn, but had livestock excluded from May to September and one silage cut taken. Butterfly transect counts were conducted weekly between mid-April and mid-September in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Reduce grazing intensity on grassland (including seasonal removal of livestock)

A replicated trial of two intensities of cattle grazing on permanent improved grassland plots in the UK (Fraser et al. 2008) found no strong difference in numbers of butterflies (Lepidoptera) between partially grazed and permanently grazed plots. On average there were 7-11 butterfly species (42-156 individuals) on permanently grazed plots and 5-10 butterfly species (21-67 individuals) on partially grazed plots of improved pasture. Ten experimental plots of improved perennial rye grass Lolium perenne/white clover Trifolium repens were grazed throughout the year by livestock. Ten similar plots were grazed in spring and autumn, but had livestock excluded from May to September and one silage cut taken. No location is given for the experiment. Butterfly transect counts were conducted weekly between mid-April and mid-September in 2005, 2006 and 2007.