Assisted colonisation to help species cope with a changing climate
Posted on 18 February 2009
On sunny summer days, large flocks of marbled white butterflies are a familiar sight at a disused quarry in Co Durham even though the nearest breeding colonies of this species are more than 50 kilometres south in Yorkshire.
These results suggest that providing there is little risk, these assisted colonisations might be a cost-effective tool for conservation
Chris Thomas, Professor of Conservation Biology
But the marbled whites are not there by accident – they have been introduced as part of new research led by the Universities of York and Durham to examine the implications of climate change for the conservation and management of biodiversity. The research is published in Conservation Letters.
Marbled white and small skipper butterflies were introduced into sites in northern Britain that were well beyond the butterflies’ northern range boundaries, but where the climate was predicted to be suitable. The success of these introductions has been followed over the last eight years.
University of York biologist Dr Jane Hill – who introduced the new populations in 2000 – said: "Many species are failing to keep track of climate warming because they cannot reach new sites. Our work demonstrates that for many species climatically suitable areas exist well beyond the current range boundaries of species, and that populations can survive very successfully in these locations".
Chris Thomas, Professor of Conservation Biology at York, added: "Many British butterflies are declining because of habitat destruction. These results suggest that providing there is little risk, these assisted colonisations might be a cost-effective tool for conservation."
Dr Steve Willis, from the School of Biological & Biomedical Sciences at Durham University said: "The introduced populations have increased at the same rates as naturally-colonised sites, and populations of marbled whites in Co Durham were thriving last summer."
This is the first practical demonstration that species are lagging behind climate warming and that translocations of species are technically feasible and might be effective in the conservation of species in a warming climate.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Corresponding author: Dr Steve Willis, School of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, South Rd, Durham. DH1 3LE, UK. Phone +44-191-334 1379, Email s.g.willis@durham.ac.uk.
- Full Reference for New Study Willis, S.G., Huntley, B., Hill, J.K., Thomas, C.D., Roy, D.B., Fox, R., Blakeley, D. (in press) Assisted colonisation in a changing climate: a test-study using two UK butterflies. Conservation Letters
- This project involved collaboration involving researchers at York, Durham, Leeds, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and Butterfly Conservation. It was funded by Natural Environment Research Council. The institutions involved are as follows: 1. Institute of Ecosystem Sciences, School of Biological & Biomedical Sciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE 2. Department of Biology, PO Box 373, University of York, York YO10 5YW. 3. Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation, School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT 4. Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Monks Wood, Abbots Ripton, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE28 2LS 5. Butterfly Conservation, Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP