Population synchrony indicates functional connectivity in a threatened sedentary butterfly

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Population Dynamics

Background:

• Dispersal is crucial for species persistence amid habitat fragmentation and environmental change.
• Population synchrony has been used as a proxy for dispersal in mobile species.
• The utility of population synchrony for sedentary species requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess population synchrony as an indicator of functional connectivity and persistence in a sedentary butterfly.
• To explore the influence of spatial scale and habitat heterogeneity on population synchrony.
• To understand barriers to dispersal and inform conservation management for the pearl-bordered fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne).

Main Methods:

• Analysis of population synchrony at local and larger spatial scales.
• Comparison of synchrony trends with distance between sites.
• Assessment of habitat type and permeability's impact on movement.
• Evaluation of synchrony in relation to site extinction events.

Main Results:

• Local-scale population synchrony correlated with dispersal in Boloria euphrosyne.
• No significant trend in synchrony with distance was observed at larger scales.
• Habitat heterogeneity, particularly successional stage, was a stronger driver of asynchrony than dispersal at larger scales.
• Dispersal was inhibited between transect sections with contrasting habitat permeability.

Conclusions:

• Population synchrony is a valuable tool for assessing local-scale movement in sedentary populations.
• Habitat characteristics significantly influence population dynamics and connectivity at larger spatial scales.
• Understanding habitat barriers is essential for effective conservation management and predicting metapopulation stability.