Published 11 May 2021 at 12.27
Domestic. According to a new report from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, two species of day butterflies – artichoke bluebird and veronic net butterfly – have probably disappeared from Sweden. Several other species are highly endangered – and declining habitat is the main reason for the serious situation for the butterflies, according to the report's authors.
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The report states that the main reason for the decline of the species is the loss of habitats that has occurred as a result of the large-scale changes in use and land use and which have completely changed the landscape in Sweden over the past 150 years.
The natural meadows and pastures that house the richest butterfly fauna have declined dramatically. The reduction of the habitats means that the subpopulations shrink and that they are isolated from each other. The risks of genetic depletion increase and the resilience to cope with random events decreases, according to the report's authors.
In order to reverse the negative development and maintain the weakly positive trends that still exist for some of the species in the report, the authors believe that measures and long-term work are required. The report contains several proposals for such measures. In order to maintain a sustained effect, repeated efforts and long-term perspective are needed, the authors write.
– That we may have lost two of our day butterflies in Sweden is tragic news to convey. Nevertheless, it reflects the seriousness of our endangered species and the biological diversity in Sweden. At the same time, we must continue and strengthen our work so as not to risk losing more species. The weak but still positive trends that the report shows for some of the species give hope, says Claes Svedlindh, head of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's nature department, in a statement.
The report presents some examples of good results from cooperation with landowners, non-profit organizations, municipalities, companies and authorities to save these endangered butterflies.
– It is gratifying to read about the ongoing collaborations. Small and large measures that are taken into account can make the difference between the conservation of butterflies and biodiversity. Collaboration is a must for long-term and successful conservation work, says Claes Svedlindh.