The Effects of Landscape Composition on Butterfly Diversity in Urban Parks and Green Space

• Main Authors: Chen, Chia-Hao, 陳家豪
• Other Authors: Chang, Chi-Ru
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2015
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/62111396915857679595

碩士 === 中國文化大學 === 景觀學系 === 103 === Urbanization has caused land use changes and habitat fragmentation, threatening species survival and reproduction. In urban areas, parks are potential shelters for butterflies. Previous literature have also suggested that butterflies are potential indicators of environmental change because of their rapid alternation of generations and high sensitivity to plant composition. This study focuses on the relationship between urban park structure and butterflies. We selected 82 urban parks in Taipei city using stratified-random samples, and took butterfly surveys. Results show that : (1). 55 butterfly species were recorded in urban parks, and Zizeeria maha okinawana、Pieris rapae crucivora、Eurema blanda arsakia、Lampides boeticus and Jamides bochus formosanus are dominant species. (2). Butterfly richness and abundance increase with park area. Distance only affects butterfly richness: parks in the urban core have lower butterfly richness. Higher NDVI values around parks can increase butterfly richness and abundance. (3). Landscape structure inside the parks have greater influence on butterfly richness, and park area is the most important predictor of butterfly richness. When park area is higher than 4 ha, butterfly richness is the highest. (4). Water coverage increases butterfly abundance, which is highest when the area of water is more than 1.8%. (5). Butterfly eveness is influenced by the distance effect: eveness is lower in the urban core. Buildings, impermeable surface, and grass area inside parks also decrease butterfly eveness. Our results suggest that not only should the area of parks be increased, but more trees and shrubs should be planted. In order to increase butterfly richness and abundance, grass area should be lower than 32%, the area of impermeable surface and buildings should be decreased, and connectivity around urban parks could be increased with more urban greening.