Developing a Rare Butterfly Database for Conservation Purposes: An Example in Florida Using Citizen Scientists

Abstract

While there are projects building comprehensive databases on changes in butterfly populations over time and space, there is still a need for building a rare butterfly database that can quickly be of value to land managers and decision-makers for whom long-term butterfly population data and trends are not yet available. The chapter provides a frame work for developing a database that can rapidly become useful for butterfly conservation efforts and decision-makers at different geographic scales and is based upon 6 years of developing a statewide rare butterfly database within Florida using citizen scientists. Topics covered include funding, staffing, long-term database support, recommendations for building an effective rare butterfly database, and organizational considerations in maximizing the effectiveness of project volunteers. The chapter relates each of these specific topics to the real-world experiences in developing Florida’s rare butterfly database and discusses the considerations, tradeoffs and rationale for the decisions that were made. This chapter is likely to be of special interest to zoo and museum directors starting up a butterfly conservation project, land managers, and government agencies.