Decade of decline for UK butterflies revealed in new report

Almost three-quarters of UK butterfly species have decreased in population during the last decade, a major scientific report reveals today (attached). The findings by Butterfly Conservation and the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) show 72% of species declined in abundance over 10 years and distributions of 54% of butterflies fell, many sharply. The report shows for the first time that the total number of common and widespread species fell by almost a quarter in 10 years, indicating underlying problems with the UK’s environment. Richard Fox, lead author of the study, said their results were "significant, worrying and depressing" because it included not just rare species but some of the most common household names like small tortoiseshell, the small heath and the wall. "Butterflies are the 'canaries in the coalmine' for our environment and this new assessment shows they are in a poor state in 21st-century Britain," said Fox. "Despite grand promises by politicians, rare and common species of butterfly continue to decline in our countryside and towns." He added: "It's also depressing: we have just gone through a decade which has had the highest levels of public awareness about wildlife and conservation and effort and public money gone into the landscape for wildlife: in that context it's pretty bad news."

The report represents the first time that a 10-year assessment of both species distribution and population changes has been possible. The Pearl-bordered Fritillary, High Brown Fritillary and Duke of Burgundy have shown the most significant declines during the last decade. The High Brown Fritillary’s population has fallen by 69% and its distribution has plummeted by 49%. The Small Tortoiseshell has also experienced an unprecedented decrease.

Sources:
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH), 7 December 2011
http://www.ceh.ac.uk/news/news_archive/UK-butterflies-decade-decline_20…
The Guardian, 7 December 2011
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/dec/07/butterfly-species-dec…

Data summary:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/datablog/2011/dec/07/uk-butterfly…