Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Exploring the implications of recreational disturbance on an endangered butterfly using a novel modelling approach

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Biodiversity and Conservation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Site and wildlife managers globally are under increasing pressure to implement management strategies that address the negative implications of outdoor recreational activities on wildlife. For many rare and isolated species any anthropogenic activities that cause disturbance could potentially be detrimental to existing populations. Understanding how non-consumptive recreation can influence a species may therefore be critical to its preservation. We developed a novel approach to specifically address this need. Using a combination of field surveys and simulation modelling exercises, we (1) explored the responses of endangered Karner blue butterflies (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) to recreation, (2) assessed whether such responses influenced oviposition rate and/or host plant choice and (3) tested alternative management strategies that could alleviate the negative impacts of recreation. Our field surveys confirmed that Karner blues were sensitive to recreational disturbance. Butterflies flushed at similar speeds and distances from recreationists (2.2 m at 0.17 m/s), as they would from natural threats, such as predators (2.2 m at 0.19 m/s). Incorporating female response parameters into a simulation model revealed that regular disturbance could reduce egg laying potential and significantly restrict host plant choice, which in turn, could impact the butterfly’s population dynamics. However, we established that it was possible to effectively offset the implications of recreational disturbance using our simulation modelling approach. For example, extending Karner blue breeding habitat from trails and other public rights of way has the potential to alleviate such disturbance. Our study demonstrates that the potential impact of recreation on species of conservation concern should not be overlooked.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akite P (2008) Effects of anthropogenic disturbances on the diversity and composition of the butterfly fauna of sites in the Sango Bay and Iriiri areas, Uganda: implications for conservation. Afr J Ecol 46:3–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alexander SM (2008) Snow tracking and GIS: using multiple species-environment models to determine optimal wildlife crossing sites and evaluate highway mitigation plans on the Trans-Canada Highway. Can Geogr 52:169–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andow DA, Lane CP, Baker RJ (1994) Karner blue butterfly: a symbol of a vanishing landscape Misc Publ 84-1994. Univ Minn, St. Paul, pp 220

  • Banerjee A (2012) Is wildlife tourism benefiting Indian protected areas? A survey. Curr Issues Tour 15:211–227

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Batschelet E (1965) Statistical methods for the analysis of problems in animal orientation and certain biological rhythms. The American Institute of Biological Sciences, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Beale CM, Monaghan P (2004) Human disturbance: people as predation-free predators? J Appl Ecol 41:335–343

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bednar-Friedl B, Behrens DA, Getzner M (2012) Optimal dynamic control of visitors and endangered species in a national park. Environ Resour Econ 52:1–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett VJ, Beard M, Zollner PA, Fernández-Juricic E, Westphal L, LeBlanc CL (2009) Understanding wildlife responses to human disturbance through simulation modelling: a management tool. Ecol Complex 6:113–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett VJ, Fernández-Juricic E, Zollner PA, Beard MJ, Westphal L, LeBlanc-Fisher CL (2011) Modelling the responses of wildlife to human disturbance: an evaluation of alternative management scenarios for black-crowned night-herons. Ecol Model 222:2770–2779

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett VJ, Betts MG, Smith WP (2012) Evidence for mate guarding behavior in the Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly. J Insect Behav 25:183–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett VJ, Sparks DW, Zollner PA (2013) Modeling the indirect effects of road networks on the foraging activities of bats. Landsc Ecol 28:979–991

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beyer HL (2004) Hawth’s analysis tools for ArcGIS. http://www.spatialecology.com/htools. Accessed 21 June 2008

  • Bonebrake TC, Boggs CL, McNally JM, Ranganathan J, Ehrlich PR (2010) Oviposition behavior and offspring performance in herbivorous insects: consequences of climate and habitat heterogeneity. Oikos 119:927–934

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borkowski JJ, White PJ, Garrott RA, Davis T, Hardy AR, Reinhart DJ (2006) Behavioral responses of bison and elk in Yellowstone to snowmobiles and snow coaches. Ecol Appl 16:1911–1925

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boyle SA, Samson FB (1985) Effects of nonconsumptive recreation on wildlife: a review. Wildl Soc Bull 13:110–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Brock JP, Kaufman K (2003) Kaufman focus guides: butterflies of North America. Hillstar Editions, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Brückmann SV, Krauss J, Steffan-Dewente I (2010) Butterfly and plant specialists suffer from reduced connectivity in fragmented landscapes. J Appl Ecol 47:799–809

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chatwin TA, Joy R, Burger AE (2013) Set-back distances to protect nesting and roosting seabirds off vancouver island from boat disturbance. Waterbirds 36:4–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Christ C, Hillel O, Matus S, Sweeting J (2003) Tourism and biodiversity: mapping tourism’s global footprint. Conservation International, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Ciuti S, Northrup JM, Muhly TB, Simi S, Musiani M, Pitt JA, Boyce MS (2012) Effects of humans on behaviour of wildlife exceed those of natural predators in a landscape of fear. PLoS ONE 7:e50611. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0050611

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Clough MW (1992) Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants: determination of endangered status of the Karner blue butterfly. Fed Regis 57:59236–59244

    Google Scholar 

  • Doak P, Kareiva P, Kingsolver J (2006) Fitness consequences of choosy oviposition for a time-limited butterfly. Ecology 87:395–408

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fielding AH, Bell JF (1997) A review of methods for the assessment of predictive errors in conservation presence/absence models. Environ Conserv 24:38–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flather CH, Cordell HK (1995) Outdoor recreation: historical and anticipated trends. In: Knight RL, Gutzwiller KJ (eds) Wildlife and recreationalists: coexistence through management and research. Island Press, Washington, DC, pp 3–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Frid A, Dill LM (2002) Human-caused disturbance stimuli as a form of predation risk. Conserv Ecol 6:11

    Google Scholar 

  • Geister TL, Lorenz MW, Hoffman KH, Fischer K (2008) Adult nutrition and butterfly fitness: effects of diet quality on reproductive output, egg composition, and egg hatching success. Front Zool 5:10

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs M, van Dyck H (2010) Butterfly flight activity affects reproductive performance and longevity relative to landscape structure. Oecologia 163:341–350

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs M, Breuker CJ, van Dyck H (2010) Flight during oviposition reduces maternal egg provisioning and influences offspring development in Pararge aegeria (L.). Physiol Entomol 35:29–39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Givinish TJ, Menges ES, Schweitzer DF (1988) Minimum area requirements for long-term conservation of the Albany Pine Bush and Karner blue butterfly: an assessment. Report to the City of Albany from Malcom Pirnie, Inc., Albany, New York, pp 101

  • Grundel R, Pavlovic NB, Sulzman CL (2000) Nectar plant selection by the Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) at the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Am Midl Nat 144:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guiney MS, Andow DA (2009) Long lifetime of a male Karner blue butterfly, Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Lycaenidae) in Minnesota, U.S.A. Entomol News 120:107–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanski I (1999) Metapopulation ecology. Oxford University Press, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  • Hebblewhite M, White CA, Nietvelt CG, McKenzie JA, Hurd TE, Fryxell JM, Bayley SE, Paquet PC (2005) Human-activity mediates a trophic cascade caused by wolves. Ecology 86:2135–2144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herms CP, McCullough DG, Miller DL, Bauer LS, Haack RA (1996) Laboratory rearing of Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae), an endangered butterfly in Michigan. Great Lakes Entomol 29:63–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Hogsden KL, Hutchinson TC (2004) Butterfly assemblages along a human disturbance gradient in Ontario, Canada. Can J Zool 82:739–748

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houston AI, Prosser E, Sans E (2012) The cost of disturbance: a waste of time and energy? Oikos 121:597–604

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ide JY (2011) Avoiding male harassment: wing-closing reactions to flying individuals by female small copper butterflies. Ethology 117:630–637

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knowlton JL, Graham CH (2010) Using behavioral landscape ecology to predict species’ responses to land-use and climate change. Biol Conserv 143:1342–1354

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Knutson RL, Kwilosz JR, Grundel R (1999) Movement patterns and population characteristics of the Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Nat Areas J 19:109–120

    Google Scholar 

  • Komonen A, Grapputo A, Kaitala V, Kotiaho JS, Päivinen J (2004) The role of niche breadth, resource availability and range position on the life history of butterflies. Oikos 105:41–54

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kotze DJ, Lehvavirta S, Koivula M, O’Hara RB, Spence JR (2012) Effects of habitat edges and trampling on the distribution of ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) in urban forests. J Insect Conserv 16:883–897

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lane CP (1994) Habitat preferences of the Karner blue butterfly in Minnesota. In: Andow DA, Baker RJ, Lane CP (eds) Karner blue butterfly a symbol of a vanishing landscape, Miscellaneous Publication 84-1994. University of Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, St. Paul, pp 3–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Lane CP, Andow DA (2003) Oak savanna subhabitat variation and the population biology of Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae). Ecol Popul Biol 96:799–809

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorenz S, Gabel F, Dobra N, Pusch MT (2013) Modelling the effects of recreational boating on self-purification activity provided by bivalve mollusks in a lowland river. Freshw Sci 32:82–93

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masahiko K (2004) The analysis and understanding of butterfly community structure based on the concept of generalist vs. specialist strategies: a new approach to biological community analysis. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Tsukuba

  • McIntire EJB, Schultz CB, Crone EE (2007) Designing a network for butterfly habitat restoration: where individuals, populations and landscapes interact. J Appl Ecol 44:725–736

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McLane AJ, Semeniuk C, McDermid GJ, Marceau DJ (2011) The role of agent-based models in wildlife ecology and management. Ecol Mod 222:1544–1556

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merckx T, Marini L, Feber RE, Macdonald DW (2012) Hedgerow trees and extended-width field margins enhance macro-moth diversity: implications for management. J Appl Ecol 49:1396–1404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minchinton TE, Fels KJ (2013) Sediment disturbance associated with trampling by humans alters species assemblages on a rocky intertidal seashore. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 472:129–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery RA, Schurtz CNR, Millenbah KF, Roloff GJ, Whalon ME, Olsen LG (2009) Modeling protected species habitat and assigning risk to inform regulatory decisions. Environ Manag 44:12–23

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moranz RA, Debinski DM, McGranahan DA, Engle DM, Miller JR (2012) Untangling the effects of fire, grazing, and land-use legacies on grassland butterfly communities. Biodivers Conserv 21:2719–2746

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nabe-Nielsen J, Sibly RM, Forchhammer MC, Forbes VE, Topping CJ (2010) The effects of landscape modifications on the long-term persistence of animal populations. PLoS ONE 5:e8932. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0008932

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nilsson SG, Franzen M, Jonsson E (2008) Long-term land-use changes and extinction of specialized butterflies. Insect Conserv Divers 1:197–207

    Google Scholar 

  • Ohwaki A, Tanabe S, Nakamura K (2003) Effects of anthropogenic disturbances on the butterfly assemblage in an urban green area: the changes from 1990 to 2005 in Kanazawa Castle Park, Japan. Ecol Res 23:697–708

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pauli BP, McCann NP, Zollner PA, Cummings R, Gilbert JH, Gustafson EJ (2013) SEARCH: Spatially Explicit Animal Response to Composition of Habitat. PLoS ONE 8:e64656. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0064656

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pickens BA (2007) Understanding the population dynamics of a rare, polyvoltine butterfly. J Zool 273:229–236

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pickens BA, Root KV (2008) Oviposition strategy and behavior of the Karner blue butterfly, Lycaeides melissa samuelis (Lycaenidae). J Lepidop Soc 62:130–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Ripple WJ, Beschta RL (2006) Linking a cougar decline, trophic cascade, and catastrophic regime shift in Zion National Park. Biol Conserv 133:397–408

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sakurai R (2011) Field observation of predation on adult lepidopterans by the tree sparrow Passer montanus saturatus. Entomol Sci 14:162–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Severns PM, McIntire EJB, Schultz CB (2013) Evaluating functional connectivity with matrix behavior uncertainty for an endangered butterfly. Landsc Ecol 28:559–569

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smallidge PJ, Leopold DJ (1996) Community characteristics and vegetation management of Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis) habitats on rights-of-way in east-central New York. J Appl Ecol 33:1405–1419

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smallidge PJ, Leopold DJ (1997) Vegetation management for the maintenance and conservation of butterfly habitats in human-dominated landscapes. Landsc Urban Plan 38:259–280

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith MA, Turner MG, Rusch DH (2002) The effect of military training activity on eastern lupine and the Karner blue butterfly at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, USA. Environ Manag 29:102–115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stefanescu C, Herrando S, Paramo F (2004) Butterfly species richness in the north-west Mediterranean basin: the role of natural and human-induced factors. J Biogeogr 31:905–915

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • St-Louis A, Hamel S, Mainguy J, Cote SD (2013) Factors influencing the reaction of mountain goats towards all-terrain vehicles. J Wildl Manag 77:599–605

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swengel AB, Swengel SR (1999) Timing of Karner blue (Lepidoptera:Lycaenidae) larvae in spring and adults in spring and summer in Wisconsin during 1991–1998. Great Lakes Entomol 32:79–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Swihart RK, Goheen JR, Schnelker SA, Rizkalla CE (2007) Testing the generality of patch and landscape-level predictors of tree squirrel occurrence at a regional scale. J Mammal 88:564–572

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • USC (2002) Endangered species Act of 1973. Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress

  • USFWS (2003) Karner blue butterfly recovery plan (Lycaeides melissa samuelis)—Big Rivers Region (Region 3). Department of the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Great Lakes

  • USFWS (2008a) Species Profile: Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis). United States Fish and Wildlife Service. http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/SpeciesReport.do?spcode=I00F. Accessed 31 Jan 2009

  • USFWS (2008b) Threatened and endangered species: Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa samuelis). United States Fish and Wildlife Service. http://midwest.fws.gov/endangered. Accessed 31 Jan 2009

  • Vasconcellos-Neto J, Monteiro RF (1993) Inspection and evaluation of host plant by the butterfly Mechanitis lysimnia (Nymph., Ithomiinae) before laying eggs: a mechanism to reduce intraspecific competition. Oecologia 95:431–438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vayssiéres MP, Plant RE, Allen-Diaz BH (2000) Classification trees: an alternative non-parametric approach for predicting species distributions. J Veg Sci 11:679–694

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waylen KA, McGowan PJK, Pawi Study Group, Milner-Gulland EJ (2009) Ecotourism positively affects awareness and attitudes but not conservation behaviours: a case study at Grande Riviere, Trinidad. Oryx 43:343–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Webb NV, Blumstein DT (2005) Variation in human disturbance differentially affects predation risk assessment in western gulls. Condor 107:178–181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Webber AF, Heath JA, Fischer RA (2013) Human disturbance and stage-specific habitat requirements influence snowy plover site occupancy during the breeding season. Ecol Evol 3:853–863

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Indiana Academy of Science for funding the fieldwork in 2009; Patty Campbell and Mary Gryzbek for assisting with the field surveys, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant for funding the modelling procedure and fieldwork in 2010; and Shalynn Pack and Zoe Davies for providing feedback on manuscript drafts. Special thanks to Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and Randy Knutson of the National Parks Service for supporting our research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, 76129, USA

    Victoria J. Bennett

  2. Department of Biology/Chemistry, Purdue University North Central, Westville, IN, 46391, USA

    Vanessa S. Quinn

  3. Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47906, USA

    Victoria J. Bennett & Patrick A. Zollner

Authors
  1. Victoria J. Bennett
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Vanessa S. Quinn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Patrick A. Zollner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Victoria J. Bennett.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bennett, V.J., Quinn, V.S. & Zollner, P.A. Exploring the implications of recreational disturbance on an endangered butterfly using a novel modelling approach. Biodivers Conserv 22, 1783–1798 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-013-0512-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-013-0512-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation