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Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007, and must not be published in part or in whole elsewhere without prior written permission from the author.
Habitats in Britain - and their management
 

Land management for butterflies and moths is a complex subject that is still poorly understood, and the following is only intended as a brief guide. Landowners and managers wishing to avail themselves of more detailed information and expertise are recommended to contact Butterfly Conservation or their local county Wildlife Trust, who will be able to put them in contact with professional advisors.
 
Section 1 - Forests and woodlands
Section 2 - Grasslands and scrub
Section 3 - Heathlands and moors
Section 4 - Coastal habitats
 
 
Coastal habitats

Coastal grasslands in southern England are breeding sites for native species including Adonis Blue, Chalkhill Blue, Small Blue, Dark Green Fritillary, Small Copper, Small Heath, Lulworth Skipper and Marbled White. They also function as temporary breeding sites for many migrant species such as Clouded Yellow, Painted Lady and Red Admiral.

Many of these sites are owned by the National Trust, who graze them with cattle or sheep.

Wall Brown Lasiommata megera, Dorset coast

Erosion

Cliff faces, landslips and eroded slopes are of major importance to the Grayling and Wall Brown, whose larvae feed on fine grasses and require a warm microclimate. Other species which thrive on the steep slopes include the calcareous race of Silver-studded Blue on Great Orme, the Wood White in Devon, and the Glanville Fritillary on Wight.

The Glanville Fritillary is confined to coastal landslips on the south coast of the Isle of Wight - the only part of Britain where the climate is warm enough to support it ( although temporary colonies periodically appear on the Hampshire coast ). Landslip habitats are by definition transient, and only remain in suitable condition for the butterfly for a few years before becoming overgrown, so the colonies are short-lived and the butterfly depends on the creation of new landslips for it's continued existence.

Glanville Fritillary Melitaea cinxia, male, Wheelers Bay, Isle of Wight, England
 
 
                                                       
Almost every British and European species of butterfly is declining rapidly in numbers, due in most cases to loss or degradation of habitats.
 
You can help to reverse the decline by supporting conservation organisations which purchase and manage habitats as nature reserves, and which lobby government at local, national and international levels, often very successfully, to bring about changes in farming, forestry and urban development policies.
 
Please contact the conservation organisations for advice on how you can help protect British and European butterflies and their habitats. You may be able to offer practical help e.g. by monitoring butterfly populations or helping to manage nature reserves. Donations to these organisations enable them to employ ecologists and biologists. Even if you are unable to provide such help, merely having your name on the membership list can be a powerful tool for conservation organisations wishing to demonstrate the levels of support they have for their policies.
 
 
Text and photographs protected by Copyright © Adrian Hoskins 2007-2008, and must not be reproduced or published in part or in whole elsewhere in any form without written permission from Adrian Hoskins. Breach of copyright will be pursued by litigation.
 
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