GEO2424 Applied Environmental Management Butterfly Project

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Contents

Executive Summary Introduction Area of Study Criteria Analysis Maps Recommendations Limitations Conclusion References

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Executive Summary
Conservation is an important contribution towards biodiversity and the UK government has committed to improve its biodiversity (Hinchcliffe et al. 2003). Thomas et al. (1999) writes about the silver-studded blue butterfly, Plebejus argus, with reference to its declining presence in England and Wales. This report will evaluate certain aspects of the environment and characteristics of an area in West Penwith, one of the few places left in the UK where the species populates. It will advise on the placement of (a) an interpretative centre for people to learn about the butterflies and (b) a nature reserve for the species. Using GIS, ArcMap and ERDAS imagine, the area has been analysed in order to meet criteria based on academic reading. Maps are placed in the report highlighting different aspects essential in deciding the placement locations. The results were analysed producing a recommendation for the sites, whilst understanding the limitations that this project has with the error and bias present in GIS. Sites were found fitting all the recommended criteria for both developments in order to maximise the potential that the area has for the conservation of the species.

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Introduction
The Silver-studded Blue butterfly (Plebejus argus) is widely distributed throughout Europe and Asia, but is becoming less prevalent in western and southern Europe (Hoskins, n.d.) and has become extinct in Scotland. Numbers in the rest of Britain have been declining for numerous years (Thomas, 1985a), with only four races remaining in the UK (Thomas et al. 1999). Thomas (1985) links the decline to a loss of biotopes and habitats, which they rarely fly far from. The habitats they reside in are locally distributed and distances between them are large, as a result of this and their reluctance to fly far, species numbers are declining. Their preferred habitats are identified as being limestone, heathland and mossland. In his 1985b research, Thomas identifies that colonies on heathland were relatively small, whereas a colony on mossland was considerably larger, but in 1985a, concluded that the habitats did not highly differ in ecology. Ravenscroft (1990) also emphasizes that the distances between separate heathlands greatly reduces the likelihood of butterflies spreading and new colonies being formed. Jordano et al. (1992) investigated the relationship between the presences of the Plebejus argus with Lasius ants at spatial scales. The reason for this is that the ants guard and protect the butterfly and in return both amino acids and sugars are secreted by the butterfly larvae and pupae, which the ants harvest. Lewis et al. (1997) assess metapopulation structure in the Plebejus argus. Using markrelease-recapture to monitor the butterflies and their movements, they discovered the species is somewhat sedentary. The maximum movement identified was 395km, but only 2% of the individual samples moved >100m a day. The adults mainly feed on heather, explaining heathland as the preferred habitat, and larvae feed on plants typical of heathlands (www.ukbutteflies.co.uk, n.d.). These foodplants were seen in the field during observations, including gorse and heather. The site also notes how 3|610029143

the butterfly will fly in overcast weather, as high temperatures are the main dependant on its flight, the species open their wings, absorbing heat from the sun. Dennis and Sparks (2006) investigate the relationship between vegetation the species concentrate around and weather conditions in North Wales. He discovered when the weather is cooler, cloudy and windy the individuals populate areas around shrubs, whereas in warmer and sunnier conditions they spend longer in flight and move towards calcareous heathland. They also noted the population accumulation above and adjacent to the area around the hostplant. The article suggests that accommodating for differing weathering conditions is necessary when defining a species habitat. The government in the United Kingdom signed the Convention of Biodiversity in 1994 (www.naturalengland.org.uk, n.d.) committing to enhance and preserve biodiversity. Since 1949, local authorities in Great Britain have had the authority to create local nature reserves (Barker and Box, 1998). These are important in maintaining wildlife conservation within the British Isles (Barker and Box, 1998). 629 nature reserves had been set up in the UK by March 1997, each important for biodiversity and conservation in the surrounding area, whilst also providing environmental education to visitors (Barker and Box, 1998). Biodiversity is considered to be important and of high value although there are difficulties in defining it in terms of monetary value. Much of the habitat in West Penwith has been identified as key for action plans on biodiversity (Howard, 1997). An interpretation (or visitor) centre is a useful addition to a nature reserve. It provides relevant information to enhance visitors understanding of the importance of nature reserves, and increases enjoyment (He and Chen, 2012). Moscardo and Pearce (1986) look at various visitor centres in the UK to investigate their relevance to visitor enjoyment, understanding and mindfulness. One hypothesis states that characteristics, including the size, of the centre affect visitor enjoyment and information recall.

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Area Of study
As mentioned, the population of the silver-studded blue in the UK is falling (Thomas 1985a, 1999). Hampshire, Dorset and Surrey are primary locations for the species, but colonies are known to exist in Cornwall, Devon and South Wales (Hoskins, n.d.). Figure 1 shows observations taken by Bennie (pers. comm.) in 2010, on the coast, north-west of Trewellard, with reference to their location in the UK. The geology of the area is characterised by the lands end granite, containing both coarse and fine grained granite (Powell et al. 1999). Howard (1997) provides a detailed study on West Penwiths geology and habitats. The peninsula on the south-west coast is exposed to the force of Atlantic gales and experiences a mild and wet climate. The climate characteristics and salt spray from the sea influence vegetation presence in West Penwith. The most predominant land cover is improved grassland, table 1 taken from Howards article shows various other land covers. Approximately 70% of land is used for agriculture. Howard links extensive woodland clearing in the Bronze Age to expansion of heathland in the area, the second most dominant land cover. Temperature in Cornwall has both diurnal and seasonal variation. The sea has strong control of the temperature and annual temperature range is about 9oc in West Cornwall. Average summer temperature for West Penwith is between 14-15oC and 6.5-9oC in winter. Average rainfall is 600-900mm and higher in winter than summer. In summer the average hours of sunshine (between 1971 and 2000) was 1650-1850 hours, among the highest in the county (www.metoffice.gov.uk, n.d.).

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Figure 1: Bennie, 2010 (pers. comm.). geography.about.com, 2012

Table 1: Howard, 1997, p.19

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Criteria
In order to determine the placement of both developments, numerous criteria have been identified using academic literature and specialist websites. Interpretative centre: Slope angle: Stability graphs in academic literature (Michalowski, 2002; Michael and Wright, 2005) support the idea that the lower the slope angle, the more stable the ground. Building on stable ground is cheaper than investing in stabilizing methods such as reinforcing the slope or improving drainage (Michael and Wright, 2005). Map 5 identifies that most of the land angles are below 10o, which seems an appropriate angle to limit to. Proximity to Roads: Roads are needed for access to the centre. Based on a study in Montana USA, Tyser and Worley (1992) advise against the building of new roads due to their potential to introduce alien species into a habitat. Therefore the reserve should be in range of an existing main road. Land Cover: Green Building Council Australia calculates that rough grazing land (cropland in the report) has one of the smallest ecological values (2010). Hinchliffe et al. (2003) also show cropland to be the lowest average global value for ecosystem services at just $92 per ha per annum. As a result grazing land is identified as the ideal land type for the building. Size: The land should also be of suitable size in order to accommodate both the interpretive centre and possible car park or playground to enhance visitor enjoyment (Moscardo and Pearce, 1987). A minimum size of 0.002km2 was decided although this should be larger to accommodate for increased popularity

(www.welshcountry.org, n.d.). Footpaths: Footpaths are needed to link the reserve to the interpretative centre.

Unlike the interpretative centre not all of the criteria for the nature reserve can be mapped using GIS. The following criteria can all be measured in GIS.

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Butterfly sightings: The reserve should cover clusters of sightings recorded (Bennie, 2010), a 100m buffer should also be created accounting for their movements (Lewis et al. 1997).

Slope direction: The slopes should be south facing as the species are more likely to accumulate there, as they can gather more sunlight and warmth

(www.ukbutterflies.co.uk, n.d.). Footpaths: Footpaths are needed to link the reserve to the interpretative centre.

The fuzzy criteria, unable to be mapped are: Vegetation type: As well as heathland being the habitat, the butterflies and larvae feed upon gorse and heather (www.ukbutterflies.co.uk, n.d.). These vegetation types also form the habitat of the species during differing weathering conditions (Dennis and Sparks, 2006). Size and layout: The optimal size for nature reserves remains under debate. Gtmark and Thorell (2003) conclude that numerous small reserves are ideal for biodiversity in highly fragmented landscapes. Potts and Vincent (2008) agree that multiple reserves may be more economically superior to a single reserve, however, biodiversity of the site would suffer. Pickett and Thompson (1978) argue that nature reserves should be large and undivided, or if divided have a corridor connecting them, or be close together. They also suggest the minimum area of a nature reserve should be 4ha (0.04km2). As one of project focuses is the biodiversity of the site Pickett and Thompson (1978) have more relevance to this.

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Analysis
In order to recommend locations for the two objectives, maps were created and analysed, each one assigning to certain criteria, or criterias, mentioned. These criterias were then combined to find the best location for both the two developments. Map 1 displays the initial satellite image sourced from www.bluesky-world.com. It was recorded from the LEICA ADS40 sensor, sensitive to red, green and blue wavelengths and has a spatial resolution of 25cm and located on the Piper Aztec platform. The date the image(s) were recorded was 11th September 2009. Maps 2-7 represent criteria needed for the interpretation centre. Map 2, a land classification map, created using ERDAS imagine, by importing data collected in the field for the geoposition of different land covers. The programme then categorized pixels with similar spectral signatures into the same land cover class, which was then filtered to eliminate odd pixels, forming the classification map. This map can then be simplified to highlight areas where the majority of pixels were classed as improved grassland (grazing land) (map 3), polygons smaller than 0.002km2 were then removed from the map. Maps 3-7 were created in ArcMap, using various sets of ordnance survey data downloaded from digimap. Map 4 shows the areas which are within 200m to a road, created by adding a buffer of 200m around the original road network. Map 5 was the initial map created to show land angles, this was then simplified to only show land which is below 10o (Map 6). Maps 3, 4 and 6 were then combined to highlight the locations that satisfy all the criteria mentioned (Map 7). Maps 8-10 present the data needed to decide the location for the nature reserve, these were also created in ArcGIS. Map 8 projects the locations of the butterfly observations, as well as a 100m buffer accounting for their maximum movement. An intermediate map representing the slope direction was created, however was difficult to interpret so was simplified into map 9, showing only south facing slopes. These two maps can be combined to find the ideal

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locations for the nature reserve (map 10). The fuzzy criteria still need to be considered when deciding an exact location. Map 11 was created by drawing the locations of coastal footpaths in ArcGIS. This was needed to link both developments, so people could travel between the two.

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Map 1: Satellite image downloaded from www.bluesky-world.com 11 | 6 1 0 0 2 9 1 4 3

Map 2: Land classification image created using ERDAS.

Map 3: Location and area of grazing land.

Map 4: Area lying within 200m of a main road

Map 5: Slope angle

Map 6: Areas where slope angle is less than 10o

Map 7: Land suiting all criteria

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Map 8: Butterfly observations with 100m buffer

Map 9: South facing slopes

Map 10: Locations meeting all criteria

Map 11: Coastal paths with 50m buffer.

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Recommendations
Map 7 has identified all the land fitting the main criteria for the interpretative centre. Three sites still remain, all of which have at least one edge of the polygons within proximity of the path, granting access. The final recommended site for the reserve is shown in Map 12, the covering an area of 0.013km2, larger than then 0.002km2 recommended. This site has been recommended as it is the closest of the three to the potential nature reserve, encouraging people to walk there. The larger space enables opportunity to expand the interpretative centre or add facilities such as a car park, picnic area or playground to enhance the

visitor enjoyment. Map 11 shows the locations which meet the solid criteria for the

Map 12: Location for the interpretative centre nature reserve.

However, the criteria which couldnt be

visualized on the map needs considered. possible to be Two locations

have been illustrated due to the two

conflicting

articles

regarding size in the Maps 13 & 14: Two alternative considerations for the nature reserve

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criteria Both of these have incorporated varying types of vegetation ideal for the butterflies. The first example (map 13) is for building two smaller reserves (Gtmark and Thorell, 2003), visitors can travel from one to the other via the footpaths. These two sites were chosen as they included the most butterfly observations and met the other criteria (visible on map 11). The second option (Map 14) would be to build one large reserve covering the majority of the butterfly observations (Pickett and Thompson, 1978). Considering all of the academic writing, the final recommendation is to construct the nature reserve produced in map 14. Although one nature reserve is less economically viable (Potts and Vincent, 2008) it seems like the best option environmentally (Pickett and Thompson, 1978). The final area covers the major clusters of butterfly observations, includes footpaths linking to the interpretative centre and required vegetation such as heathland and gorse.

Limitations
Heywood et al. (2011) outline different sources of error in GIS which can limit the accuracy of the data produced: Conceptual errors arise from the different ways we perceive reality and represent the real world. Models are produced in GIS to reflect reality, however these can have inaccuracies. An example in this project may be incorrect classification. Attribute errors arise from incorrect classification. Clouds and shadows are common obscuring features. The drawing of sharp boundaries around land types is inaccurate as in reality these boundaries are more gradual and fuzzy, the larger the scale, the larger the error. Operational errors lie in the digital encoding (or digitizing). An example would be in the manual digitizing creating the footpaths, grazing land, nature reserves and interpretative centre. These errors are based on the lines, as their thickness is not to scale and it cant create a true curved line, causing overshoot, undershoot, displacement and spikes in the digitized line.

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Wing et al. (2005) calculate that a consumer-grade GPS receiver can be up to 5m out for a reading in open sky settings. This means coordinates for a particular location may be incorrect, resulting in incorrect classification as a point classified could be 5m out from the initial reading. Heywood et al. (2011) outline numerous other limitations. The accuracy of the photos within time and space is biased, as they are only a snapshot of reality. The images are dated from 2009, making them out of date so it is likely the land cover has changed since. The creation of the classification map and the removal of noisy cells may have also caused error. Similar land covers or types with similar spectral signatures may have been classed as the same. Map overlaying has been criticised in academic literature, due to the presence of errors in positioning and attributes in input maps, which are then transferred to the output maps. These output maps would be bringing in errors from numerous input maps, resulting in an increasingly inaccurate output map. An accuracy report determines an accuracy percentage and discovers pixels which have been incorrectly classified, using proxy data of true values. The results can be seen in table 2, an overall accuracy percentage of 67.01% was achieved. This value also has error, as it is based on the assumption that the proxy data is 100% accurate, which it cant be. Table 3 shows how many pixels were incorrectly categorised for each land type, and how they should have been classified according to the proxy data. According to the accuracy report (shown in table 3), 35 pixels of Improved grassland were

incorrectly classified, whereas 6 pixels were classified as Improved

Table 2: Details of referenced and classified pixels, along with overall accuracy.

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grassland when they shouldnt of been. This could affect the location of the interpretation centre, as some of what was assessed to be improved grassland may not be.

Table 3: Error matrix of the classification of pixels against reference data.

Conclusion
This report has successfully located and recommended suitable sites, satisfying all criteria outlined, for both the interpretative centre and nature reserve. Although it was unsuccessful in determining the best size for the interpretative centre, suggestions have been given on what can be used to maximise the space recommended. Nature reserves are important in encouraging biodiversity within the UK (Hinchcliffe et al. 2003) and help stabilize and possibly increase populations of declining species such as the silver-studded blue. The area of West Penwith proves an ideal site for the reserve, with suitable land type and climate. The presence of this reserve should encourage future population growth. There are a number of limitations with data gathered and analysed though GIS, affecting the results achieved. It is possible to extend and investigate new criteria, such as looking at the presence of lasius ants (Jordano et al. 1992). The initial butterfly observations extend further down the coastline, if this reserve is a success; it may be worth considering either expanding the current reserve or creating new ones in hotspots around Cornwall. Word Count:2972 17 | 6 1 0 0 2 9 1 4 3

References
Barker, G.M.A. and Box, J.D. (1998) Statutory Local Nature Reserves in the United Kingdom, Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 41(5): 629-642. Bluesky (2009) Website accessed 2nd December 2012, < http://www.bluesky-world.com/> Dennis, R.L.H. and Sparks, T.H. (2006) When is a habitat not a habitat? Dramatic resource use changes under differing weather conditions for the butterfly Plebejus argus, Biological Conservation, 129(3): 191-301. Duncan, J.M. and Wright, S.G. (2005) Soil Strength and Slope Stability, Wiley, Hoboken. Green Building Council Australia (2010), Green Star Industrial. Gtmark, F. and Thorell, M. (2003) Size of nature reserves: densities of large trees and dead wood indicate high value of small conservation forests in southern Sweden, Biodiversity and Conservation, 12(6): 1271-1285 He, H. and Chen, J. (2012) Educational and enjoyment benefits of visitor education centres at botanical gardens, Biological Conservation, 149(1): 103-112. Heywood, I., Cornelius, S. and Carver, S. (2011) Data Quality issues, in An introduction to Geographical Information Systems, Pearson, Harlow: 309-344. Hinchcliffe, S., Blowers, A. and Freeland, J. (2003) Sustainable environmental futures: opportunities and constraints, in Blowers, A. and Hinchcliffe, S. eds. Environmental Responses, Wiley, Milton Keynes: 237-279. Hoskins, A. (n.d.) Butteflies of Britain and Europe: Silver-studded Blue, Website accessed 2nd December 2012, <http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Britain%20-%20Plebejus%20argus.htm> Howard, A (1997)West Penwith, Cornwall Wildlife Trust, n/a, unpublished. Jordano, D., Rodriguez, J., Thomas, C.D. and Fernandez Haeger, J. (1992) The distribution and density of a lycaenid butterfly in relation to Lasius ants, Oecologia, 91: 436-446. Lewis, O.T., Thomas, C.D., Hill, J.K., Brookes, M.I., Crane, R.T.P., Graneau, Y.A., Mallet, J.L.B. and Rose, O.C. (1997) Three ways of assessing metapopulation structure in the butterfly Plebejus argus, Ecological Entomology, 22(3): 283-293 Met Office (n.d.) South West England: climate, Website accessed 2nd December 2012, < http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/sw/> Michalowski, R.L. (2002) Stability Charts for Uniform slopes, Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, 128(4): 351-355 Moscardo, G. and Pearce, P.L. (1986) Visitor centres and environmental interpretation: An exploration of the relationships among visitor enjoyment, understanding and mindfulness, Journal of Environmental Psychology, 6(2): 89-108 18 | 6 1 0 0 2 9 1 4 3

Natural England (n.d.) The Convention on Biological Diversity, Website accessed 2nd December 2012, <http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/biodiversity/protectandmanage/conven tion.aspx> Pickett, S.T.A. and Thompson, J.N. (1978) Path dynamics and the design of nature reserves, Biological Conservation, 13:27-37. Potts, M. and Vincent, J. (2008)Spatial distribution of species populations, relative economic values, and the optimal size and number of reserves, Environmental and Resource Economics, 39(2): 91-112. Powell, T., Salmon, S., Clark, A.H. and Shail, R.K. (1999) Emplacement styles within the Lands End Granite, West Cornwall, Geoscience in South-West England, 9(4): 333-339. Ravenscroft, N.O.M. (1990)The ecology and conservation of the silver-studded blue butterfly Plebejus argus L. on the sandlings of East Anglia, England, Biological Conservation, 53(1): 21-36 Thomas, C.D. (1985a) Specializations and polyphagy of Plebejus argus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) in North Wales, Ecological Entomology, 10(3): 325-340 Thomas, C.D. (1985b) The status and conservation of the butterfly Plebejus argus L. (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) in North West Britain, Biological Conservation, 33(1): 29-51 Thomas, C.D., Glen, S.W.T., Lewis, O.T., Hill, J.K., and Blakeley, D.S. (1999) Population differentiation and conservation of endemic races: the butterfly, Plebejus argus, Animal Conservation, 2: 15-21. Tyser, R.W. and Worley, C.A. (1992) Alien Flora in Grasslands Adjacent to Road and Trail Corridors in Glacier National Park, Montana (U.S.A.), Conservation Biology, 6(2): 253-262. UK Butterflies (n.d.) Silver-studded Blue, Website accessed 2nd December 2012 <http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species.php?species=argus> United Kingdom outline map (n.d.) About.com, US, viewed 2nd December 2012, <http://geography.about.com/library/blank/blxuk.htm> Welsh Country (n.d.) FCW visitor centre to double in size as popularity soars, Website accessed 2nd December 2012 <https://www.welshcountry.co.uk/index.php/news-from-around-wales/42-othernews/10976-fcw-visitor-centre-to-double-in-size-as-popularity-soars> Wing, M.G., Eklund, A. and Kellogg, D. (2005) Consumer-Grade Global Positioning System (GPS) accuracy and reliability, Journal of Forestry, 103(4): 169-173.

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