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Canopy Science |
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Studying Forest Butterfly Communities and the Effects of Disturbance on Community Structure
Scientist: Gary Lowe
Contact Email: garylowe12@hotmail.com
Institution: Cambridge University
Project Description:
Abstract
The search for indictor groups to quickly and reliably assess endangered ecosystems is centring on using well known invertebrate groups such as butterflies due to their high abundance, diversity and sensitivity to disturbance. This study aimed to look at the methods of data collection commonly used in such studies and to quantify the effect of disturbance on butterfly communities. Trapping methods were found to be sensitive to changes in trap type or design and that neither trapping nor line transects alone could be relied upon to collect complete species assemblage data on an area. Strong patterns however, can be established from the fraction of the species assemblage represented by each method. Combinations of these methods must be used to reinforce findings and allow appropriate decisions to be made on management and conservation plans. Line transect data suggests that overall diversity of butterfly species decreases moving away from sources of disturbance. Two different communities, edge and centre, with distinct species compositions were identified in the study area. These separate species assemblages could be used in other similar environments to identify those areas affected by disturbance and to indicate where other groups may be in danger of the deleterious effects of disturbance.
Participants:
G.M.Lowe, P. Wheeler, V.Tough, E.Turner
Project Location: Buton, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Added Date: 15-Jan-2010
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