Butterfly responses to prairie restoration through fire and grazing

Bees and Butterflies in Burned and Unburned Alvar Woodland: Evidence for the Importance of Postfire Succession to Insect Pollinator Diversity in an Imperiled Ecosystem

“…It supports and quantifies earlier general observations and detailed studies in other regions (Fahrig 2003;Grixti and Packer 2006, Swengel and Swengel 2007, Vogel et al 2007) that indicate the importance of successional habitat in providing nesting sites and floral resources (Fahrig, 2003;Grixti and Packer, 2006). Early successional stages continued for some time (decades to a few hundred years) after the cessation of ecological processes such as fire which occurred regularly up to 100-200 years ago.…”

A descriptive analysis of Regal Fritillary (Speyeria idalia) habitat utilizing biological monitoring data along the big bend of the Platte River, NE

“…As a thatch producer, A. gerardii, a dominant native Facultative Upland (FACU) grass (graminoid), seems to be an important constituent of Regal habitat given our data. The thatch and litter that A. gerardii produces (senesced and decomposing plant materials) has been positively associated with Regal habitat in the literature (Mason 2001;Helzer 2012;Ferster and Vulinec 2010;Davis et al 2007;Vogel et al 2007). However, the level of thatch and litter present in the landscape is highly dependent on recent management (grazing, fire, etc.…”

“…Other characteristics of Regal habitat still lack investigation. Research indicates that Regals seem to prefer areas with thatch and little bare ground, but few have quantified this balance (Davis et al 2007;Helzer 2012;Vogel et al 2007). Some research indicates that warm season grasses such as Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and a specific soil moisture constitute preferred Regal habitat (Mason 2001;Swengel 1997).…”

“…Gibson and Hulbert (1987) note that species diversity peaks 6-7 years after a fire in a tallgrass prairie system before beginning to decline, whereas shrub encroachment increases at a linear rate following a controlled burn. The use of fire as a vegetation management practice has been shown to negatively impact Regal populations, inhibiting post-fire population growth for up to 7 years or more (Swengel and Swengel 2007;Swengel et al 2011;Vogel et al 2007Vogel et al , 2010Helzer 2012). Conversely, because fire has been demonstrated to have a stimulating effect on forb abundance and diversity, recovery times of Regals may be exaggerated in some systems (Henderson 1990;Helzer 2012;Moranz et al 2014;Farhat et al 2014;Davis et al 2007;Vogel et al 2010;Gibson and Hulbert 1987).…”

Short-term effects of fire on Papilionoidea (Lepidoptera) communities: a pilot study in Mediterranean maquis shrubland

“…fire tends to increase plant diversity and preserves early vegetation successional stages; Kaynaş & Gürkan 2008;Verdasca et al 2012). Following fire, butterfly populations return to nearly pre-disturbance levels in approximately 3-20 years, depending on the environment (Swengel 1996;Vogel et al 2007Vogel et al , 2010Verdasca et al 2012). A study in central Nevada found no differences in butterfly species richness between burned and unburned prairies (Fleishman 2000); however, the author hypothesised that the sample size was too small to detect an effect.…”