Goal: Conserve threatened populations of the Bay
Checkerspot butterfly through science-based habitat
restoration and management.
The Problem: Encroachment on serpentine grassland
habitat by human development has severely limited the
distribution of the butterfly. In addition, invasive grass and
shrub species are reducing populations of host and nectar
plants, especially where atmospheric nitrogen deposition
(from air pollution) favors faster-growing non-natives.
download Bay Checkerspot butterfly conservation vision pdf
Checkerspot butterfly through science-based habitat
restoration and management.
The Problem: Encroachment on serpentine grassland
habitat by human development has severely limited the
distribution of the butterfly. In addition, invasive grass and
shrub species are reducing populations of host and nectar
plants, especially where atmospheric nitrogen deposition
(from air pollution) favors faster-growing non-natives.
download Bay Checkerspot butterfly conservation vision pdf
| Copyright 2008 © Creekside Center for Earth Observation LLC. All rights reserved. |
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Creekside Center
for Earth Observation
for Earth Observation
Science-Based Conservation:
- Population monitoring: estimate butterfly population
densities based on field counts of larvae and adults
across habitat range - Habitat characterization: assess biotic factors (host
plants, invasive species, etc.) and abiotic factors
(microclimate, slope orientation, etc.) of local habitat - Habitat modeling: simulate population dynamics as
influenced by prevailing climate, microclimate (solar
exposure, temperature, etc.), slope orientation, host
plant availability, and larvae development - Habitat restoration: enhance habitat suitability by
limiting human disturbance, replanting native species,
and controlling invasive species with well-managed
grazing, burning, and mowing - Nitrogen deposition: assess and mitigate effects of
atmospheric nitrogen deposition on the ecology of
serpentine grasslands - Human impacts: assess and mitigate the impacts of
human development on and near butterfly habitat - Adaptive management: implement site-specific
management plans, with periodic review of success - Education and outreach: communicate with diverse
audiences (public, resource managers, decision
makers, etc.) through various media (press, field tours,
web sites, briefings, presentations, brochures, etc.)
Benefits
Contacts
Key Literature:
Murphy, D.D., and S.B. Weiss. 1988. A long-term monitoring
plan for a threatened butterfly. Conservation Biology 2:367-
374.
Murphy, D.D., and S.B. Weiss. 1988. Ecological studies and
the conservation of the Bay checkerspot butterfly,
Euphydryas editha bayensis. Biological Conservation 46:183-
200.
Weiss, S.B., D.D. Murphy, and R.R. White. 1988. Sun,
slope, and butterflies: topographic determinants of habitat
quality for Euphydryas editha bayensis. Ecology 69:1486-
1496. pdf
Weiss, S.B. 1999. Cars, cows, and checkerspot butterflies:
nitrogen deposition and grassland management for a
threatened species. Conservation Biology 13:1476-1486. pdf
- Conservation of Bay Checkerspot butterfly
- Sound scientific basis for proactive, cost-effective
management - Compliance with government regulations
- Mitigation of human impacts
Contacts
- Stuart B. Weiss, PhD, CEO and Chief Scientist,
Creekside Center for Earth Observation, stu at
creeksidescience.com - Paul M. Rich, PhD, Senior Scientist, Creekside Center
for Earth Observation, paul at creeksidescience.com
Key Literature:
Murphy, D.D., and S.B. Weiss. 1988. A long-term monitoring
plan for a threatened butterfly. Conservation Biology 2:367-
374.
Murphy, D.D., and S.B. Weiss. 1988. Ecological studies and
the conservation of the Bay checkerspot butterfly,
Euphydryas editha bayensis. Biological Conservation 46:183-
200.
Weiss, S.B., D.D. Murphy, and R.R. White. 1988. Sun,
slope, and butterflies: topographic determinants of habitat
quality for Euphydryas editha bayensis. Ecology 69:1486-
1496. pdf
Weiss, S.B. 1999. Cars, cows, and checkerspot butterflies:
nitrogen deposition and grassland management for a
threatened species. Conservation Biology 13:1476-1486. pdf
| Populations of the threatened Bay Checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha bayensis) have declined severely since the 1980s, with local extinctions and restriction to small habitat islands. (photo by S. Weiss) |
| Bay Checkerspot butterflies thrive in serpentine grasslands of California, where low nutrient availability favors the Checkerspot’s primary host plant, dwarf plantain (Plantago erecta), along with secondary hosts and nectar-producers that support adult butterflies. (photo by S. Weiss) |
| Bay Checkerspot Butterfly Conservation |
| Bay Checkerspot butterfly populations respond to "thermal time"; degree-days measure energy input that determines developmental rates. |
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