New study published examines the dispersal patterns, population sizes, and conservation needs of three globally threatened butterfly species: the Marsh Fritillary, Apollo, and Large Blue.
Key findings:
- Population sizes: Despite being endangered, these species maintain large populations in some areas, with nearly 30,000 captures recorded.
- Long-distance movements: The Marsh Fritillary traveled up to 7.2 km, and the Apollo butterfly up to 6.4 km, indicating the need for expansive habitats.
- Density-dependent dispersal: As population density increased, butterflies were more likely to disperse to less crowded areas, improving survival.
Conservation implications:
The study stresses the need for habitat management and landscape-level conservation strategies to protect these species from threats like agriculture and climate change, ensuring their survival on Gotland.
