Applying the IUCN threat categories to island endemics: Sardinian butterflies (Italy)

Grill, Andrea; Crnjar, Roberto Massimo; Casula, Paolo; Menken, Steph B. J.

doi:10.1078/1617-1381-00006

Cited by 23 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Many butterfly species are negatively affected by changes in mountain grassland management in the Mediterranean region (Grill et al, 2002). The major threats to these grassland habitats are agricultural intensification, overgrazing, fire and building development (Grill et al, 2002;Stefenascu et al, 2004).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The major threats to these grassland habitats are agricultural intensification, overgrazing, fire and building development (Grill et al, 2002;Stefenascu et al, 2004). Currently, the major threat to garrigue habitats in Cyprus is the uncontrolled building development which is occurring along the northern coast of the island.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other research indicates that Lycaenids are known to fly preferably in rather open habitats, such as flowery and grassy meadows (Grill et al, 2005). These grassland habitats are degraded by development pressures and changes in mountain grassland management regimes (Grill et al, 2002). Grassland habitats in Cyprus provide important host plant communities for larvae of two of the endemic butterfly species (M. cypricola and H. cypriensis) (John & Parker, 2002;Makris, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Butterflies (Lepidoptera) highlight the ecological value of shrubland and grassland mosaics in Cypriot garrigue ecosystems

Özden¹,

Hodgson²

2011

Eur. J. Entomol.

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Abstract. We used butterfly assemblages to evaluate the ecological value of habitat mosaics within garrigue ecosystems in Cyprus. To understand the importance of the local plant communities for Cypriot butterflies, five plots in each of two habitat types (grassdominated or shrub-dominated) were surveyed weekly for a period of five months in order to assess the abundance, species richness and diversity of butterflies. A total of 810 butterflies of 16 species were recorded. Indices of butterfly diversity, calculated across the whole season, were similar between grassland and shrubland dominated mosaics. However, species richness of all butterflies was consistently higher in grassland dominated mosaics throughout the whole season. The peak abundance of all butterfly species occurred during mid-season (late April -early May), with similar numbers observed in both habitat types. However, a greater abundance was observed during early and late season in grassland patches. The abundance of endemic species (Maniola cypricola, Hipparchia cypriensis, Glaucopsyche paphos) peaked earlier in the season in shrubland patches, but was higher in grassland patches in late season. This difference in seasonal timing of endemic abundance was dominated by the seasonal dynamics of M. cypricola. These results suggest that, while garrigue is characterised by its shrub flora, management to maintain a mosaic of grassland and shrubland could act to maximise the abundance and richness of indicator species groups of conservation importance.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Butterflies (Lepidoptera) highlight the ecological value of shrubland and grassland mosaics in Cypriot garrigue ecosystems

Özden¹,

Hodgson²

2011

Eur. J. Entomol.

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“…Falcucci et al (2007), analyzing land-use changes in Italy over the last 50 years, measured for Sardinia an important increase in forest cover, associated to a strong decrease of open semi-natural areas. These changes were related to distribution and abundance of human population and economic activities (Grill et al 2002;Puddu et al 2009), with changes in forest cover and agricultural practices acting as the main drivers of biodiversity loss. However, Falcucci et al (2007) provided only a first analysis of land-use changes at a national level (entire Italy) within a limited time frame (from 1965 to 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Forest changes over a century in Sardinia: implications for conservation in a Mediterranean hotspot

2011

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The Mediterranean basin is one of the most important biodiversity hotspots. However, only 5% of its original vegetation is still in place, and the landscape has been managed and transformed by humans for at least the last two millennia. In the last century the mechanization of agriculture and the overuse of semi-natural habitats have influenced the region even more than before, with huge consequences, especially on islands. Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean basin, and it has been considered for long as a semi-natural area with an economy based on traditional agroforestry and pastoral practices. Considering four maps covering Sardinia and ranging from 1935 to 2007, we measured the rate of forest changes demonstrating a constant trend towards forest increase, and with a complete recovery of the total forest surface compared to the late 1800s.The traditional agroforestry practices decrease in time due to socio-economic reasons, with deeper consequences for the mosaic of traditional agricultural areas and semi-natural habitats, as well as for the conservation of the unique biodiversity of Sardinia. Species typically linked to Mediterranean forests recovered and are recovering, while species linked to traditional semi-natural landscapes decreased, facing conservation problems. We suggest that the current challenges for biodiversity conservation in the island should be focused together with the agricultural policies towards the preservation and improvement of traditional open areas, even important in the history of the entire Mediterranean hotspot.

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“…Understorey plants in mature old forests on the Pentadaktylos Range are therefore critical, especially for endemic butterflies. In Mediterranean countries, mountain grasslands and scrublands are the richest habitats for butterflies (Grill et al 2002). During the summer period many butterflies prefer cool shady locations where they feed or rest on understorey plants such as Cistus creticus (Makris 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Butterfly diversity in Mediterranean islands and in Pentadaktylos Pinus brutia forests of Cyprus

Özden

Ciesla²,

Fuller

et al. 2008

Biodivers Conserv

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We analysed the influence of contemporary geography on butterfly diversity for islands in the Mediterranean Basin. We found that island size and distance from the mainland has a significant effect on the number of species. We also used butterflies as an indicator group to identify the importance of forest habitats for biodiversity conservation in the island of Cyprus. To understand the relative importance of local vegetation characteristics of butterflies in the Pentadaktylos mountains transect counts were used to assess the abundance and butterfly diversity in two different forest types. A total of 1,602 butterflies and 23 species were recorded during this research. We observed highly significant effects of forest type on abundance and species richness of butterflies. For example, number of butterflies was significantly higher in old forest than young pine forest. Also, the abundance of endemic butterflies was highest in old forest habitats. Therefore, the survival of the majority of endemic butterflies in Cyprus may depend on conservation of old forests and their understorey plants.

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Applying the IUCN threat categories to island endemics: Sardinian butterflies (Italy)

Cited by 23 publications

References 17 publications

Butterflies (Lepidoptera) highlight the ecological value of shrubland and grassland mosaics in Cypriot garrigue ecosystems

Butterflies (Lepidoptera) highlight the ecological value of shrubland and grassland mosaics in Cypriot garrigue ecosystems

Forest changes over a century in Sardinia: implications for conservation in a Mediterranean hotspot

Butterfly diversity in Mediterranean islands and in Pentadaktylos Pinus brutia forests of Cyprus

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