Thesis
A first step towards successful habitat restoration and reintroduction: understanding oviposition site selection of an imperiled butterfly, mardon skipper
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2010
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/100178
Abstract
Lack of basic biological information about at-risk species is a key limiting factor in butterfly conservation. In the Puget prairies, WA, little is known about the habitat requirements of the mardon skipper (Polites mardon, federal candidate, WA state endangered). In this study, we investigated oviposition site selection and used our results to assess oviposition habitat quality at a potential reintroduction site. During the 2009 flight season we marked eighty-eight eggs and sampled vegetation at oviposition (n=74) and random locations (n=82), measuring habitat variables with respect to the oviposition plant, vegetation structure, and vegetation cover. Eighty-six of the eightyeight eggs we observed were laid on Festuca roemeri, a native, perennial bunchgrass. Discriminant function analysis revealed selection of egg-laying sites based on habitat structure; females laid eggs in small F. roemeri tufts in sparsely vegetated areas of the prairie. These results are contrary to results from a previous study in the Cascade Mountains of WA where females selected densely vegetated areas, suggesting that the species has geographically specific habitat requirements. To assess oviposition habitat at a potential reintroduction site we measured the six variables most important for oviposition at an occupied site and the proposed reintroduction site. Results revealed differences in habitat quality between locations and suggest a need for further habitat management at the reintroduction site. The results of our work highlight the importance of understanding the habitat use of a rare species where restoration activities occur and increase our ability to target habitat management where it is most needed and useful for the persistence of the species.
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Details
- Title
- A first step towards successful habitat restoration and reintroduction
- Creators
- Erica Helen Henry
- Contributors
- Cheryl Barbara Schultz (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Environment, School of the (CAHNRS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525191901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis