UK butterflies: 'Glimmer of hope'

[Guest guest]

By Helen Briggs

BBC News science reporter

 

 

 

The silver-spotted skipper is back (Image: Jim Ash)

 

 

Enlarge Image

 

The recovery in Britain of a rare butterfly offers a glimmer of hope

for other species, say conservationists.

 

The silver-spotted skipper, which lives on the chalky down lands of

southern England, is starting to thrive again after almost dying out

in the 1980s.

 

It is among 15 butterflies that have become more widespread in the

British Isles, according to the latest count.

 

However, the majority of butterflies are still in decline, says a

report by the UK charity Butterfly Conservation.

 

The State of Butterflies in Britain and Ireland gives the latest data

on the number and distribution of all 59 butterfly species that breed

regularly in the UK and Ireland.

 

It shows that more than three-quarters of species have suffered a

decline since the 1970s.

 

Overall, numbers of several species are down by more than two-thirds,

with butterflies dependent on particular habitats faring worst.

 

However, there are some success stories, notably the resurgence of

the silver-spotted skipper.

 

 

The book maps the distribution of all 59 butterfly species

 

Agri-environment schemes, where farmers are paid money to preserve

habitat, were partly responsible, said Dr Tom Brereton, head of

monitoring at Butterfly Conservation.

 

" There has been a lot of effort in recent years to bring down land

back into a favourable state for wildlife and this is one of those

species that has benefited, " he said.

 

" I think also the warming climate has benefited the butterfly as

well. "

 

Other butterflies that have done well - spreading northwards as the

climate gets warmer - include the Essex skipper, comma, holly blue

and speckled wood.

 

Butterflies in Scotland are generally faring better than those in

England and Wales, with some expanding their range.

 

However, the destruction and deterioration of habitats remains a

major threat to butterflies, says the report, as does climate change.

 

Although most responses have been favourable thus far, predictive

modelling suggests that climate change will become a significant

cause of butterfly decline during this century, the report states.