UK Status of Marsh Fritillary
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsh_fritillary
The marsh fritillary butterfly is declining in almost every European country and is now extinct in northern Belgium. The UK is now believed to be one of the major European stronghold for the species, but even here it has declined substantially over the last 150 years. In Britain, its range has reduced by over 62%, and it has recently disappeared from most of eastern England and eastern Scotland. It is still quite widespread in parts of south-west England and Wales, but colonies are estimated to be disappearing at a rate of well over 10% per decade. In Ireland, the butterfly`s range is thought to have contracted by 50%.
Surveys in 1990 indicated that there were 228 definite colonies in England, 111 in Wales, 35 in Scotland and 58 in Northern Ireland, in about 20 key areas. 44% of colonies known in Britain are within SSSIs, and 11 within NNRs.
The marsh fritillary breeds in two main habitats, damp neutral or acid grasslands (Rhos pastures) and dry chalk and limestone grasslands. Colonies are often small and prone to extinction, so extensive networks of habitat patches which permit re-colonisation are essential to their long term survival.
The butterfly is listed on Annex II of the EC Habitats Directive and Appendix II of the Bern Convention It is also protected under Schedule 5 of the WCA 1981 (in respect of sale only), and fully protected under Schedule 5 and 7 of the Wildlife Order (Northern Ireland) 1985.
This case study is based on the management of a marsh fritillary buttefly Eurodryas aurinia population at Rhos Llawrcwrt National Nature Reserve from 1992 to 2006. From 1991 David Wheeler was the manager of this site. This account is taken from his account of the way in which the CMS plan was created and adapted. In particular he demonstrates the way in which an adaptable approach to a specific management plan has taken place over three decades. The plan has been adapted resulting from the combined results of developments in the planning logic and its practical application.
Significant changes have been in the objective as a consequence of developments in management planning and our understanding of what a smart objective should be.
The objectives are also adapted to reflect improvements in science, and particularly a better understanding of the survival strategies and requirements of the species.
http://www.culturalecology.info/rhospasture/index.html