scholarly journals Butterfly Diversity and Abundance in the Middle Afromontane Area of Northwestern Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Melaku Wale ◽  
Sofia Abdella
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Forest Edge ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Natural Forests ◽  
Equal Distribution ◽  
Butterfly Diversity ◽  
Rarefaction Curves ◽  
Forest Habitats

Butterflies are good indicators of environmental health, and they play a critical role in the food chain. Butterfly diversity and abundance were studied for the first time at three forests and their surrounding habitats in northwestern Ethiopia, a borderline ecosystem between the subtropical savannah and the Ethiopian highlands (Afromontane). Butterfly species richness and abundance were assessed using transects between October 2018 and June 2019. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance, correlation and regression analysis, diversity indices, ordination analysis, cluster analysis, and rarefaction curves. A total of 27,568 butterflies were recorded that belonged to three families, five subfamilies, and eight genera. The forest habitat had more butterfly taxa (abundance and diversity) than other habitats. Belenois spp. and Mylothris agathina were the most abundant in all three study locations. Species common to all study areas include Belenois aurota, Belenois raffrayi, Mylothris agathina, Eronia leda, Junonia terea elgiva, and Phalanta eurytis neuritis. Forest edge and woody forest habitats were the richest in terms of both number of species and number of individuals. Equitability (Pielou's index) showed equal distribution of the species, i.e., 0.8 to 0.9, except at the open grassland at Tara Gedam (0.3). Margalef's index varied between habitats and locations showing differences in species richness (from 0.25 at the woody forest of Mount Bezawit to 0.86 at the forest edge of Tara Gedam). Ordination analyses also showed that associations existed between habitats, locations, and dates of sampling. Rarefaction curves rose quickly at the forest edge and woody forest habitats compared to other forests. The cluster analysis discriminated the different habitats. Populations declined during the dry season (December to April). In conclusion, butterfly species diversity and abundance varied with respect to habitat and sampling date (season), although less diverse than other regions in the country where natural forests still widely exist. Butterfly species must be regularly monitored, and their habitats must be preserved for the health of the entire ecosystem.

Butterfly (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) diversity in relation to habitat utilization at Jagannath Kishore College, Purulia, West Bengal (India)

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
DIPANWITA DAS
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Ecosystem Management ◽  
West Bengal ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Butterfly Diversity ◽  
Tridax Procumbens ◽  
Eurema Hecabe ◽  
Purulia District ◽  
One Year

Documentation of butterfly diversity is necessary for ecosystem management both at the local and the global scales. The varied types of  functional role of the butterflies qualify them for conservation and thus sustenance of the ecosystem services. Information about the biodiversity of Purulia district as well as arid regions of Chota Nagpur Plateau is insufficient and this necessitates to investigate about the butterfly diversity of Purulia which will provide subsequent information for ecosystem management. On the basis of this proposition, the present study was carried out in the campus of Jagannath Kishore College, Purulia, West Bengal (India). The species richness, species diversity, seasonal variation and habitat utilisation by the butterflies were studied for a period of one year between February 2016 and January 2017 with photographic documentation. A total of seventy-one butterfly species under five families were encountered, of which, the family Nymphalidae represented highest number of species. The butterfly species richness was lower in summer probably due to the scarcity of water, but during monsoon and post-monsoon seasons water availabitity boost up the vegetation and therefore species richness increased to its maximum. Among the different species, Eurema hecabe was the most abundant species throughout the year followed by Leptosia nina, Danaus chrysippus and Catopsilia pomona. In the study area, thirty-one species of herbs and shrubs were identified as nectaring plants for adult butterflies. Among them, Tridax procumbens, Lantana camara, Alternanthera sessilis and Tagetes sp. were recognized as the preferred nectaring plants based on the number of butterflies visiting them. As an effort for conservation of the butterflies, the information on the plants and the species avaialble in the concerned region may be used further. However, long term monitoring of the concerned region is recommended to understand the changes in the environmental quality as reflected through the variations in the butterfly species assemblages. 

scholarly journals Butterfly diversity of Putalibazar Municipality, Syangja District, Gandaki Province, Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 18827-18845
Author(s):  
Kismat Neupane ◽  
Mahamad Sayab Miya
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Species Diversity ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Butterfly Diversity ◽  
Wiener Diversity Index

A study was carried out to find the butterfly species diversity and abundance in Putalibazar Municipality, Syangja, Gandaki, Nepal, from June 2019 to July 2020. Pollard walk method was used for data collection in three different habitat types: forest, agricultural land, and settlement area. The study was performed in all seasons: pre-monsoon, monsoon, post monsoon and winter. A total of 180 butterfly species from 108 genera and six families were recorded. The overall Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H) was 4.48. The highest diversity was represented by the Nymphalidae with 67 species (H= 3.79). Butterfly diversity and species abundance was highest in the forest area (147 species, 1199 individuals; H= 4.47). The highest species richness (109 species) was observed in the monsoon season.

scholarly journals Butterfly diversity of paddy growing area in winter and pre-monsoon season (Rabi crop) at Silezari site of Gondia district, Maharashtra, India

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dharmik R. Ganvir ◽  
Chintaman J. Khune
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Paddy Field ◽  
Monsoon Season ◽  
Agricultural Fields ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Agricultural Field ◽  
Systematic Survey ◽  
Butterfly Diversity ◽  
Wide Range

A systematic survey was carried out on butterflies of agricultural field during winter and pre-monsoon season, Silezari, Vidarbha, India because it is now clear that agricultural fields particularly paddy field are unique ecosystems that provide some butterflies to complete their life span.. Total 24 species of butterflies were recorded belonging to 20 genera and 5 families. Nymphalidae family is consisting of maximum number of genera and species and only one species recorded from family Papilionidae. Maximum species richness reported from March and April month. The present study will encourage the conservation of a wide range of indigenous butterfly species in an area.

scholarly journals Influences of landscape structure on butterfly diversity in urban private gardens using a citizen science approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manfred Pendl ◽  
Raja Imran Hussain ◽  
Dietmar Moser ◽  
Thomas Frank ◽  
Thomas Drapela
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Butterfly Conservation ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Butterfly Diversity ◽  
Science Approach ◽  
Surrounding Landscape ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAlthough urbanization is increasing worldwide, private gardens may help mitigate the impact of urbanization on butterfly diversity. We investigated how local and landscape factors correspond with the observed butterfly species diversity and species composition in Viennese private gardens. The goal is to determine the importance of private gardens for butterfly conservation. Butterfly species were observed by skilled volunteers by applying a citizen science approach. We related butterfly species numbers in private gardens with local parameters and landscape composition in a radius of 1 km around each garden. Data were analyzed using a regression approach based on generalized linear models. The butterfly species richness in private gardens was positively correlated with butterfly species richness in the surrounding landscapes. Butterfly species richness in private gardens increased with higher proportions of area relevant for butterflies in the surrounding landscape and with increasing numbers of host and nectar plant species in the private gardens. A higher proportion of wooded areas in the surrounding landscape was related with a smaller proportion of the landscape butterfly species pool being observed in the private gardens. Overall, our results could be useful in land use planning, and for future studies of how to integrate citizen science and make urban gardens more beneficial for butterfly conservation.

A remote sensing approach to biodiversity assessment and regionalization of the Canadian boreal forest

2012 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan P. Powers ◽  
Nicholas C. Coops ◽  
Jessica L. Morgan ◽  
Michael A. Wulder ◽  
Trisalyn A. Nelson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Snow Cover ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Biodiversity Data ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Viable Approach ◽  
Canadian Boreal Forest

Successful conservation planning for the Canadian boreal forest requires biodiversity data that are both accessible and reliable. Spatially exhaustive data is required to inform on conditions, trends and context, with context enabling consideration of conservation opportunities and related trade-offs. However, conventional methods for measuring biodiversity, while useful, are spatially constrained, making it difficult to apply over wide geographic regions. Increasingly, remotely sensed imagery and methods are seen as a viable approach for acquiring explicit, repeatable and multi-scale biodiversity data over large areas. To identify relevant remotely derived environmental indicators specific to biodiversity within the Canadian boreal forest, we assessed indicators of the physical environment such as seasonal snow cover, topography and vegetation production. Specifically, we determined if the indicators provided distinct information and whether they were useful predictors of species richness (tree, mammal, bird and butterfly species). Using cluster analysis, we also assessed the applicability of these indicators for broad ecosystem classification of the Canadian boreal forest and the subsequent attribution of these stratified regions (i.e. clusters). Our results reveal that the indicators used in the cluster creation provided unique information and explained much of the variance in tree (92.6%), bird (84.07%), butterfly (61.4%) and mammal (22.6%) species richness. Spring snow cover explained the most variance in species richness. Results further show that the 15 clusters produced using cluster analysis were principally stratified along a latitudinal gradient and, while varied in size, captured a range of different environmental conditions across the Canadian boreal forest. The most important indicators for discriminating between the different cluster groups were seasonal greenness, a multipart measure of climate, topography and land use, and wetland cover, a measure of the percentage of wetland within a 1 km2 cell.

scholarly journals Effects of nitrogen deposition on butterfly species richness on the landscape scale

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Roth ◽  
Lukas Kohli ◽  
Beat Rihm ◽  
Reto Meier ◽  
Valentin Amrhein
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Nitrogen Deposition ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Butterfly Diversity

AbstractNitrogen (N) deposition caused by agriculture and combustion of fossil fuels is a major threat to plant diversity, but the effects on higher trophic levels are less clear. In this study we investigated how N deposition may affect butterfly species richness. We started with reviewing the literature and found that vegetation parameters might be as important as climate and habitat variables in explaining variation in butterfly species richness. It thus seems likely that increased N deposition indirectly affects butterfly communities via its influence on plant communities. We then analyzed data from the Swiss biodiversity monitoring program surveying species diversity of vascular plants and butterflies in 383 study sites of 1 km2 that are regularly distributed over Switzerland, covering a modelled N deposition gradient from 2 to 44 kg N ha−1 yr−1. Using traditional linear models and structural equation models, we found that high N deposition was consistently linked to low butterfly diversity, suggesting a net loss of butterfly diversity through increased N deposition. At low elevations, N deposition may contribute to a reduction in butterfly species richness via microclimatic cooling due to increased plant biomass. At higher elevations, negative effects of N deposition on butterfly species richness may also be mediated by reduced plant species richness. We conclude that in addition to factors such as intensified agriculture, habitat fragmentation and climate change, nitrogen deposition is likely to play a key role in affecting butterfly diversity.

scholarly journals Effects of elevation gradient and aspect on butterfly diversity on Galičica Mountain in the Republic of Macedonia (south–eastern Europe)

2020 ◽  
pp. 67-78
Author(s):  
M. Popović ◽  
B. Micevski ◽  
R. Verovnik
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Elevation Gradient ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Butterfly Diversity ◽  
Β Diversity ◽  
Altitudinal Zone ◽  
South Eastern Europe ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Two Peaks ◽  
Diversity Estimates

The patterns of butterfly diversity and community changes in relation to elevation are an interesting and well–covered topic in ecology, but the effects of aspect have rarely been evaluated. Here we studied the changes in butterfly species richness and communities along the elevation gradient and aspect of Galičica Mountain. As expected, species richness changed with altitude, showing a bimodal pattern with two peaks and a declining trend towards higher altitude. Changes were well–correlated with the area in each altitudinal zone, while the effects of productivity were less clear. Butterfly communities at higher altitudes were the most distinct when grouped according to β diversity estimates, followed by mid– and low–altitude communities. Indicator species were found in mid–altitudes and for the combination of low–mid and mid–high altitudes, but not among aspects. Overall, aspect produced a less conclusive effect on species richness and community composition. South and north accounted for most of these differences despite dominant western and eastern and exposition of the mountain slopes. The community temperature index declined with altitude and on the northern aspect, showing these areas hosted more cold–adapted species. Notes on butterfly conservation are provided as 23 species known from historical surveys have not been recorded recently. Data published through GBIF (Doi: 10.15470/jacl7y).

scholarly journals Can butterflies cope with city life? Butterfly diversity in a young megacity in southern China

Genome ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (9) ◽  
pp. 751-761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kong-Wah Sing ◽  
Hui Dong ◽  
Wen-Zhi Wang ◽  
John-James Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Plant Diversity ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Central Business District ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Wing Morphology ◽  
City Life ◽  
Butterfly Diversity ◽  
Business District ◽  
The Relationship

During 30 years of unprecedented urbanization, plant diversity in Shenzhen, a young megacity in southern China, has increased dramatically. Although strongly associated with plant diversity, butterfly diversity generally declines with urbanization, but this has not been investigated in Shenzhen. Considering the speed of urbanization in Shenzhen and the large number of city parks, we investigated butterfly diversity in Shenzhen parks. We measured butterfly species richness in four microhabitats (groves, hedges, flowerbeds, and unmanaged areas) across 10 parks and examined the relationship with three park variables: park age, park size, and distance from the central business district. Butterflies were identified based on wing morphology and DNA barcoding. We collected 1933 butterflies belonging to 74 species from six families; 20% of the species were considered rare. Butterfly species richness showed weak negative correlations with park age and distance from the central business district, but the positive correlation with park size was statistically significant (p = 0.001). Among microhabitat types, highest species richness was recorded in unmanaged areas. Our findings are consistent with others in suggesting that to promote urban butterfly diversity it is necessary to make parks as large as possible and to set aside areas for limited management. In comparison to neighbouring cities, Shenzhen parks have high butterfly diversity.

scholarly journals Butterfly Species Richness in Selected West Albertine Rift Forests

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Patrice Kasangaki ◽  
Anne M. Akol ◽  
Gilbert Isabirye Basuta
Keyword(s):  
Cluster Analysis ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
Principal Components ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Small Areas ◽  
Albertine Rift ◽  
The Third ◽  
Closed Forest ◽  
High Species Richness ◽  
Components Analysis

The butterfly species richness of 17 forests located in the western arm of the Albertine Rift in Uganda was compared using cluster analysis and principal components analysis (PCA) to assess similarities among the forests. The objective was to compare the butterfly species richness of the forests. A total of 630 butterfly species were collected in 5 main families. The different species fell into 7 ecological groupings with the closed forest group having the most species and the swamp/wetland group with the fewest number of species. Three clusters were obtained. The first cluster had forests characterized by relatively high altitude and low species richness despite the big area in the case of Rwenzori and being close to the supposed Pleistocene refugium. The second cluster had forests far away from the supposed refugium except Kisangi and moderate species richness with small areas, whereas the third cluster had those forests that were more disturbed, high species richness, and low altitudinal levels with big areas.

scholarly journals Butterfly diversity in the three selected areas in Dhaka city, Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 413-428
Author(s):  
Md Aminul Islam ◽  
Md Abul Kashem ◽  
Md Abdul Alim ◽  
Fatema Tuz Zohora
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Butterfly Species ◽  
Dhaka City ◽  
Species Evenness ◽  
University Campus ◽  
Butterfly Diversity ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
The Family

The diversity of butterfly species was studied from January to June 2015 in the three selected areas, viz. Ramna Park, Jagannath University Campus, and Baldha Garden in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. A total 75 species of butterfly belonging to 42 genera under 8 families were recorded from the study areas during the study period. Of them, 52 species (6253 individuals) of 8 families were found in the Ramna Park, 37 species (1430 individuals) of 7 families in the Jagannath University Campus and 20 species (320 individuals) of 6 families in the Boldha Garden. In these three study areas, 17 species, 14 genera and 6 families were in common. At the Ramna Park, the highest species richness included the family Lycaenidae (21.15%, 11 spp.) followed by Papilionidae (17.31%, 9 spp.), Pieridae (17.31%, 9 spp.), Nymphalidae (17.31%, 9 spp.), Hesperiidae (13.46%, 7 spp.), Danaidae (7.69%, 4 spp.), Satyridae (3.85%, 2 spp.), and the lowest was in the family Acriidae (1.92%, 1 spp.). At the Jagannath University Campus the highest number of species were recorded in the family Lycaenidae (21.62%, 8 spp.) and Hesperiidae (21.62%, 8 spp.) followed by Pieridae (18.92%, 7 spp.), Papilionidae (13.51%, 5 spp.), Nymphalidae (10.81%, 4 spp.), Danaidae (10.81%, 4 spp.), and the lowest was in Satyridae (2.70%, 1 spp.). The topmost butterfly species were recorded in the family Pieridae (25%, 5 spp.) followed by Lycaenidae (20%, 4 spp.), Nymphalidae (20%, 4 spp.), Papilionidae (15%, 3 spp.), and the lowest from the family Hesperiidae (10%, 2 spp.) and Danaidae (10%, 2 spp.) at the Baldha Garden. The maximum butterfly species were found in February to June (51 spp.), February (34 spp.), and April (16 spp.), and the lowest were in January (46 spp.), June (21 spp.) and January (8 spp.), respectively for the Ramna Park, Jagannath University Campus and the Baldha Garden. The peak of the population observed in May (n =1285), March (n = 325), and May (n = 71), and the lowest was in January (n = 662), June (n = 145) and January (n = 21), respectively for the Ramna Park, Jagannath University Campus, and Baldha Garden. The Shanon’s Diversity Index (H) and Simpson’s Index (λ) indicated high butterfly diversity at the Ramna Park (H = 3.68, λ = 0.03), Jagannath University Campus (H = 3.20, λ = 0.06) and Baldha Garden (H = 2.50, λ = 0.13), respectively. The high Species Evenness in the Ramna Park (E = 0.93), Jaganath University Campus (E = 0.89) and the Baldha Garden (E = 0.84) indicated that the species were evenly distributed. The calculated Sorenson’s Coefficient (CC) was 0.47, which indicates that these three communities have quite a bit of overlap or similarity. Bangladesh J. Zool. 48(2): 413-428, 2020

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