The Agroecology-TRANSECT project, with ÖMKi as a key partner, is running a Europe-wide citizen science campaign, and invites volunteers to take part in a butterfly counting survey!
Why count butterflies?
Butterflies are good indicators for the quality of habitats. Many butterfly species are highly dependent on the availability of certain host plants and the presence of landscape features such as hedges, trees or forest edges. Butterflies are therefore sensitive to changes in habitat quality, land use intensity and landscape structure. For this reason, the EU has decided to include the Grassland butterfly index as one of three indicators of the quality of agricultural ecosystems.
What is the purpose of the research?
What will be done with your observations? The butterfly data are analysed to improve our understanding of agroecological farming practices and their impact on agri-ecosystems, and to inform and shape biodiversity conservation actions in Europe. For this purpose, the Agroecology-Transect project combines the knowledge and expertise of farmers, scientists, policy makers and NGOs from all over Europe.
How can you participate?
Counting butterflies is fun, easy, relaxing and only takes 2×15 minutes of your time. All you need is an observation site on agricultural land and the Butterfly Survey app installed on your phone. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can also find printable recording sheets here in English and German.
Spread the word!
Please spread the word among your friends, colleagues and neighbours! The more people counting butterflies, the more reliable the conclusions we can draw from the data, and the better we can adapt our farming practices to benefit biodiversity.
About Agroecology-TRANSECT project: https://www.agroecology-transect.net/
More information about the Survey: https://www.agroecology-transect.net/news/butterfly-survey/
Contact person: Tamás Miglécz, tamas.miglecz@biokutatas.hu
