Conservation of Prairie-Oak Butterflies in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia

Abstract

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Replacing Hay-mowing with Prescribed Fire Restores Species Diversity and Conservation Value in a Tallgrass Prairie Sampled Thrice: A 59-Year Study

“…It is currently unknown how early season (July) or very late season (late October, after fall rains have begun) burns might influence invasive species cover and native species composition and structure. These types of burns may encourage heterogeneous fire severity and, therefore, help to achieve some ecological objectives related to community structure by leaving unburned resource patches from which fire-sensitive species may more readily recolonize burned areas (Schultz and Crone 1998, Panzer 2002, Schultz et al 2011.…”

“…However, Dunwiddie (2002) found that multiple burns on a prairie resulted in responses by individual species that differed widely in magnitude, direction and duration between burns. Streaked horned lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata), a Federal candidate species, benefits from open and very sparsely vegetated habitat, so frequent fire may improve conditions for these birds (Pearson et al 2005), but this prescription may not be appropriate for certain butterfly species (Schultz et al 2011). Providing detailed knowledge about fire regime impacts on high fidelity prairie and oak woodland species will inform fire management plans and help to improve the utility of fire as a restoration tool.…”

Effects of Habitat and Landscape Structure on Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana) Regeneration Across an Urban Gradient

“…Native annuals are a notable example of a group of species that is now uncommon in many prairies, likely due to the lack of frequent disturbances that historically would have provided areas for them to establish in (Dunwiddie et al 2006). It probably is no coincidence, therefore, that this loss has had cascading effects: some of these species (e.g., Collinsia parviflora, Collinsia grandiflora, Plectritis congesta, and Triphysaria pusilla) are host plants for rare butterfly species (Schultz et al 2011). Thus, in addition to the losses of plant species, most prairie/oak ecosystems have almost certainly also suffered significant losses of mammals (Stinson 2005), birds (Altman 2011), butterflies (Schultz et al 2011), and other invertebrates (Fazzino et al 2011).…”

“…It probably is no coincidence, therefore, that this loss has had cascading effects: some of these species (e.g., Collinsia parviflora, Collinsia grandiflora, Plectritis congesta, and Triphysaria pusilla) are host plants for rare butterfly species (Schultz et al 2011). Thus, in addition to the losses of plant species, most prairie/oak ecosystems have almost certainly also suffered significant losses of mammals (Stinson 2005), birds (Altman 2011), butterflies (Schultz et al 2011), and other invertebrates (Fazzino et al 2011). The remaining populations occupy smaller, degraded habitats and are increasingly vulnerable to extirpation.…”

“…Slater and Altman (2011) describe encouraging efforts to reintroduce breeding populations of Western bluebirds to areas where they have been extirpated, and Schultz et al (2011) highlight recent actions to bring Taylor's checkerspot butterflies and other rare lepidopterans back into sites where they have been lost. Successes in conserving and restoring plant species in these habitats also are increasing, aided by extensive support from various state and federal agencies.…”