Date of Award
2017
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Natural Sciences
First Advisor
Saarinen, Emily
Area of Concentration
Biology
Abstract
Imperiled butterflies face a variety of threats including habitat loss, invasion by non-native species, and a rapidly changing climate. A severe lack of data on most species makes it difficult to determine which conservation actions will be most effective. I attempted to fill some of these data gaps by assembling life history profiles and recounting current conservation efforts for five imperiled butterflies and skippers in the Southwestern United States. I performed climate change vulnerability indices (CCVIs) for each species and found that all are expected to significantly decrease in abundance or range by 2050. I also performed an ecological niche model for MacNeill’s Sootywing in order to highlight possible conservation areas for this species. The two areas indicated by this model are likely unsuitable for conservation actions due to this species’ particular host-plant requirements. Future butterfly research in this region should focus on collecting precise location data and recording life history traits at each life stage.
Recommended Citation
Barry, Reed, "ELUCIDATING DATA GAPS FOR FIVE IMPERILED BUTTERFLIES IN THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION" (2017). Theses & ETDs. 5302.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/5302