Ecology and Conservation of Butterflies

This book was conceived to mark the Silver Jubilee of the British Butterfly Conservation Society. Interest in the conservation of butterflies has increased so rapidly that it is difficult to relate to the situation 25 years ago. Butterflies were on the decline in Britain, Europe and elsewhere but we lacked data on the extent of the decline and the underlying reasons, leaving us unable to implement effective conservation measures. An early recognition of the plight of British butterflies and moths led to the foundation of the society by a small group of conservationists in 1968. Today the society has over 10000 members, owns a number of reserves and sponsors research, conservation and monitoring activities at the local and national level. As part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations an international symposium was held at Keele University in September 1993 entitled 'Ecology and Conservation of Butterflies'. This symposium clearly showed how much important work has been done in recent years and also gave me the impression that the subject had reached a watershed. This was not because the decline of butterflies has stopped or even slowed down, far from it, the threat to our butterflies continues to increase from habitat destruction and intensification of land use. The watershed is in our understanding of the relationship between butterflies and their habitat.

This book reviews many of the latest advances in the ecology and conservation of butterflies. It brings together under one cover details of progress in the fields of monitoring distribution and abundance, effects of land use, and the management of endangered species. Each chapter is written by recognized experts in their field. The book is unique in containing reviews of conservation efforts from different regions of Europe and other continents. This provides an up-to-date record and comparison of the challenges and progress made in different countries. From the Preface: 'A particular aim is to try to bridge the communication gap between scientific research and practical conservation (and) aims to give scientists, nature conservationists and amateur entomologists access to up to date information on butterfly conservation.'.