Management Diversification Increases Habitat Availability for Lepidoptera Papilionoidea in the Torretes Biological Station (Spain)
Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea), considered bioindicators of habitat conservation status, are one of the groups used to assess the impact of habitat management and improvement efforts in the Biological Station of Torretes (Ibi, Alicante, Spain). This area also houses the Botanical Garden of...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| author | Javier Quinto Elena Espín Eduardo Galante |
| author_facet | Javier Quinto Elena Espín Eduardo Galante |
| author_sort | Javier Quinto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea), considered bioindicators of habitat conservation status, are one of the groups used to assess the impact of habitat management and improvement efforts in the Biological Station of Torretes (Ibi, Alicante, Spain). This area also houses the Botanical Garden of the University of Alicante. The study was focused on the period from autumn 2022 to late spring 2023, and data on butterfly diversity and abundance from the current study were compared with historical data. Our results highlight that open spaces and the availability of trophic resources (nutritional plants) were key factors influencing the richness and abundance of Papilionoidea. The program for the creation and maintenance of new habitats at the biological station has increased spatial heterogeneity and the availability of trophic resources, which has led to a significant increase in the richness and abundance of butterflies in a short period. To support the conservation of Mediterranean ecosystems, and entomofauna in general, the Papilionidae are proposed as model groups for designing conservation projects based on traditional habitat management. These projects should promote spatial heterogeneity, include programs to enrich plant diversity, and be complemented by environmental education and outreach initiatives. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7164ad44bf5c4e1281adeb8c61eb3e33 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj-art-7164ad44bf5c4e1281adeb8c61eb3e332025-08-20T03:58:30ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-06-0116768310.3390/insects16070683Management Diversification Increases Habitat Availability for Lepidoptera Papilionoidea in the Torretes Biological Station (Spain)Javier Quinto0Elena Espín1Eduardo Galante2Instituto de Investigación CIBIO (Centro Iberoamericano de la Biodiversidad), Universidad de Alicante, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, SpainInstituto de Investigación CIBIO (Centro Iberoamericano de la Biodiversidad), Universidad de Alicante, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, SpainInstituto de Investigación CIBIO (Centro Iberoamericano de la Biodiversidad), Universidad de Alicante, 03690 San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, SpainButterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea), considered bioindicators of habitat conservation status, are one of the groups used to assess the impact of habitat management and improvement efforts in the Biological Station of Torretes (Ibi, Alicante, Spain). This area also houses the Botanical Garden of the University of Alicante. The study was focused on the period from autumn 2022 to late spring 2023, and data on butterfly diversity and abundance from the current study were compared with historical data. Our results highlight that open spaces and the availability of trophic resources (nutritional plants) were key factors influencing the richness and abundance of Papilionoidea. The program for the creation and maintenance of new habitats at the biological station has increased spatial heterogeneity and the availability of trophic resources, which has led to a significant increase in the richness and abundance of butterflies in a short period. To support the conservation of Mediterranean ecosystems, and entomofauna in general, the Papilionidae are proposed as model groups for designing conservation projects based on traditional habitat management. These projects should promote spatial heterogeneity, include programs to enrich plant diversity, and be complemented by environmental education and outreach initiatives.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/683protected natural areashabitat managementbutterfly conservationentomological reservesMediterranean ecosystems |
| spellingShingle | Javier Quinto Elena Espín Eduardo Galante Management Diversification Increases Habitat Availability for Lepidoptera Papilionoidea in the Torretes Biological Station (Spain) Insects protected natural areas habitat management butterfly conservation entomological reserves Mediterranean ecosystems |
| title | Management Diversification Increases Habitat Availability for Lepidoptera Papilionoidea in the Torretes Biological Station (Spain) |
| title_full | Management Diversification Increases Habitat Availability for Lepidoptera Papilionoidea in the Torretes Biological Station (Spain) |
| title_fullStr | Management Diversification Increases Habitat Availability for Lepidoptera Papilionoidea in the Torretes Biological Station (Spain) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Management Diversification Increases Habitat Availability for Lepidoptera Papilionoidea in the Torretes Biological Station (Spain) |
| title_short | Management Diversification Increases Habitat Availability for Lepidoptera Papilionoidea in the Torretes Biological Station (Spain) |
| title_sort | management diversification increases habitat availability for lepidoptera papilionoidea in the torretes biological station spain |
| topic | protected natural areas habitat management butterfly conservation entomological reserves Mediterranean ecosystems |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/7/683 |
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