Influence of grasslands management on diversity of the diurnal butterflies of Vlkolínec Village (Central Slovakia)

Extensive grassland management significantly enhances butterfly biodiversity, particularly for specialized and protected species, while intensive practices like mulching and overgrazing lead to habitat degradation. A two-year study (2011–2012) in Vlkolínec, Slovakia, found that late-successional grasslands and extensively managed pastures hosted the highest diversity of diurnal butterflies, including rare species like Phengaris arion and Melitaea aurelia. Researchers used transect surveys and multivariate analysis (RDA) to assess how abandonment, mulching, and grazing affected butterfly communities. Results revealed that intensive management disrupted vegetation structure, negatively impacting stenotopic species, whereas extensive practices correlated with increased diversity and abundance of indicator butterflies. The study underscores the critical role of traditional land management in sustaining biodiversity within UNESCO-recognized landscapes.

Babálová, M., & Štrbová, E. (2014). Influence of grasslands management on diversity of the diurnal butterflies of Vlkolínec Village (Central Slovakia). Ecology and Noospherology, 25(1-2), 83–91. https://doi.org/10.15421/031408