Hope for bu erfly populations
Although numbers of grassland butterflies are experiencing mixed
fortunes in the UK, declining overall, there are signs that conservation measures are working, with some species back on the increase.
A Europe-wide study found that, overall, grassland butterfly species had declined by 39 per cent in 16 countries since 1990. The UK saw a 50 per cent drop since 1976, with eight per cent of resident species extinct.
Habitat loss and pollution is thought to be the root cause for the crash in most countries. Those species with special habitat requirements are most affected, such as Marsh Fritillary and Duke of Burgundy, with the abundance of such species in the UK collectively falling by 68 per cent. To tackle the problem, UK charity Butterfly Conservation targeted 200 priority landscapes for threatened butterflies and moths. By working with owners on land management techniques, they have reversed the decline on a number of sites with Large Blue, Duke of Burgundy and Marsh Fritillary showing signs of recovery.
Visit the how to help section at www.butterfly-conservation. org for more information.