Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystems have drastically declined over the last 200 years. Today, less than 4% of historical ranges are still in existence, largely due to fire suppression and commercial exploitation. The coastal plain/piedmont transition of North Carolina is home to a rare type of longleaf pine ecosystem, the Dry Piedmont Longleaf Pine forest. One example of this ecosystem can be found on the Lake Wheeler Road Biological Field Laboratory near NC State University. In 2018, this site was selected for ecological restoration. While a primary objective of this project is to monitor the success of the Longleaf pines, ensuring that the biodiversity of this unique ecosystem returns is of paramount concern. In this study, we collect and summarize baseline data necessary to monitor shifts in butterfly species occupancy, including species abundance and community composition of Lepidoptera among varying levels of canopy cover. To monitor butterfly species composition, three 10m x 10m plots were established across the site. Within these plots, Pollard walks were conducted at peak temperature times to survey butterfly presence. Canopy cover was averaged across five points within each plot using a spherical densiometer.
Results/Conclusions
Over the course of six observation periods, a total of eight butterfly species were observed. Canopy openness over the sampled plots ranged from 11.4% to 77%. The Bray-Curtis ordination method was used to compare species composition across the sample areas. Using the ordination, 100% of the variation in the butterfly community was described. A greater abundance of Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) and Clouded Sulfur (Colias philodice) were seen in the most open areas while the Carolina Satyr (Hermeuptychia sosybius), Gemmed Satyr (Cyllopsis gemma) and Red Spotted Purple (Limenitis arthemis) were more abundant in less open areas (Species with R2 > 0.8). Additional sampling events, specifically during Spring and Fall months, are needed to obtain a more comprehensive characterization of the site’s butterfly community. Fine-scale vegetation surveys would further supplement this dataset and allow us to characterize temporal variation in the pollinator-plant community throughout the restoration process. As restoration efforts for longleaf pine ecosystems continue, it is critical to understand how restoration impacts local biodiversity. Understanding the role of pollinators, one of the most important biological components of an ecosystem, in this process is of particular importance to the future management and recovery of the once-great tree of the Southeastern US.