Reestablishment of the Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Marsh fritillary butterfly (Euphydryas aurinia) was last observed in Schleswig-Holstein in 1991. The decline and eventual extinction of the species in the region was caused by a range of factors including intensification of land use, draining of bogs, and overgrowth of tall grass, scrub and brambles on military sites following the replacement of tanks by wheeled vehicles.

OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of LIFE-Aurinia project was to reactivate habitats of the marsh fritillary in the last two known sites of the species (Nordoe and Jardelunder Moor). At similar good sites (e.g. the military training field Ltjenholm and Geltinger Birk) the project planned to improve the necessary habitats of the target species: mat grasslands, wet grasslands, heathlands and dry grasslands. At the remaining proposed project sites, it may be possible to reintroduce the species in around 20 years when conservation actions have enabled the reactivation of the necessary vegetation. The condition of the sites varies according to the demands of the species, and therefore different actions were planned. The IUCN criteria for reestablishment of species were checked and influenced the planning process of the proposal.

RESULTS

The LIFE-Aurinia project contributed to the improvement of habitat types mat grasslands, heath lands and calcareous dry grasslands, while developing feeding sites for caterpillars with a high density of nectar plants, and converting farmland into species-rich grasslands. It also established marsh fritillary populations with most exceeding the planned scope. Specific results include:

Development of 234 ha of former agricultural sites to species-rich grasslands (50 ha were planned);

Improve specific habitat types (mat grasslands, heath lands, calcareous dry grasslands, wet grasslands) as potential E. aurinia habitat on 131 ha (50 ha were planned);

Development of 73 ha of feeding habitats for E. aurinia (14.4 ha were planned);

Conversion of 16 ha of spruce forest into E. aurinia habitats by removing the forest with non-natural vegetation and developing heath vegetation on inland dunes. A smaller part of this area is suitable for E. aurinia, but the majority is too dry and nutrient-deficient;

Successful reintroduction of E. aurinia in five areas (four were planned) with nine sub-populations (eight were planned); and

Successful reintroduction or stabilisation of host and nectar plants for the marsh fritillary: Succisa pratensis, Arnica montana and Scorzonera humilis in 10 areas.

The structural diversity and vegetation composition increased in many of the project sites. Monitoring also showed that the conservation status of the relevant habitat types and species stabilised during the course of theproject. The measures introduced benefit 30 butterfly species, 12 species of which are priority, such as Lycaena hippothoe, Melitaea cinxia, Argynnis aglaja, Argynnis niobe, Zygaena lonicerae and Boloria selene.

At the Ltjenholm site, inland dunes were cleared up and many endangered heathland species are now able to recover (e.g. Clavaria argillacea and Cuscuta epithymum). Furthermore, a caldron fen is also now benefiting from the project. At the Tresee site, hydrologic measures are having a positive impact on resting and breeding bird populations. The development of vegetation through application of hay seeds was shown to be especially successful. At the Geltinger Birk site, the project helped develop lichens-rich heathlands and Nardus grasslands, while removing invasive plants such as Rosa rugosa and Rubus sps.

The project also helped increase the populations of dragonfly (Aeshna subartica), while during bird migration periods Tringa erythropus, Oenanthe oenanthe and Charadrius dubius were found at the project sites. Finally, the project actions benefited endangered heath species that do not populate in in homogenous stands but depend on mosaic-like habitats with open soils, sandy areas and transition to Nardus grasslands/nutrient-poor grasslands. These included Polygala vulgaris, Linum catharticum, Anagallis minima, Antennaria dioica, Euphrasia stricta, Pedicularis sylvatica and Gentiana pneumonanthe.

Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).