D3003: Optimizing grazing management to support grassland butterfly biodiversity

Managed grazing is one method of to improve and maintain grassland health for plant and insect populations. However, little is known about the effects of different types of management and grazing intensity on native pollinators. We surveyed grasslands that were rotationally grazed and continuously grazed to compare the methodologies of each and how they affect butterfly biodiversity and abundance. We hypothesize that butterfly abundance and community diversity will vary as a function of grazing intensity and will mirror plant species community responses. Our first season of data shows that organic, rotationally grazed pastures have higher butterfly biodiversity and abundance than conventionally, continuously grazed pastures. These results suggest that ideal grazing management for conservation can influence the species and abundance of butterflies that exist there, and that there is an opportunity on grazed lands to simultaneously create large amounts of butterfly habitat.