Date: December 12, 2018
Source: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research -
UFZ
The
"Natura 2000" network of protected areas runs across the EU as a
conservation network for biodiversity. However, only a few studies have so far
analysed whether these refuges actually have a positive effect on species diversity.
Studies have predominately focussed on birds and have not shown any clear
trends. Using long-term data from the "Butterfly Monitoring Germany"
citizens' research project, scientists from the Helmholtz Centre for
Environmental Research (UFZ) in Halle, Germany, and the Palacký University
Olomouc, Czech Republic, have now investigated the matter using butterflies as
an example. According to the research, there are more butterfly species in
Natura 2000 areas than elsewhere. However, in the journal Diversity and
Distributions the researchers reported the same decline in the numbers of
species regardless whether the communities are located within or outside the
protected areas.
The idea
in itself is sound: A mosaic of protected forests, grasslands, lakes, rivers
and other habitats designed to provide shelter for Europe's endangered plants
and animals. The EU has been developing this "Natura 2000" network of
protected areas since 1992. It now covers over 18% of the EU's land surface and
is one of the most important building blocks for European nature conservation.
But the question remains how effective this network actually is. Can it indeed
stop the rampant loss of species? A research team led by Martin Musche from the
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Halle investigated this
question using butterflies as an example.
It is no
coincidence that the researchers used this species group for their analysis. On
the one hand, there are numerous butterflies with particular habitat
requirements and are therefore representative for many other species.
Consequently, they are regarded as highly suitable indicators for the
conditions of a landscape. What is more, they also play an important role in
the ecosystem as pollinators, herbivores, and as a food source for birds and
other animals.
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