The influence of chalk grasslands on butterfly phenology and ecology.

ABSTRACT: The influence of large-scale variables such as climate change on phenology has received a great deal of research attention. However, local environmental factors also play a key role in determining the timing of species life cycles. Using the meadow brown butterfly Maniola jurtina as an example, we investigate how a specific habitat type, lowland calcareous grassland, can affect the timing of flight dates. Although protracted flight periods have previously been reported in populations on chalk grassland sites in the south of England, no attempt has yet been made to quantify this at a national level, or to assess links with population genetics and drought tolerance. Using data from 539 sites across the UK, these differences in phenology are quantified, and M. jurtina phe

SUBMITTER: Greenwell MP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8571638 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature