Species richness and abundance of butterflies in natural and drained mires in Finland

Abstract

[Introduction] Approximately half of Finnish peatlands have been drained for forestry. However, there is considerable variation regionally, and in particular in southern southern half of Finland ca 80-90 % of the original mire area has been ditched. Drainage was most intensive in 1960s and 1970s, but ditching has gradually decreased since that. Drainage has extensive effects on flora and fauna of mire habitats (Laine & al. 1995b, Aapala & Lappalainen 1998a, Aapala & Lappalainen 1998b, Vasander 1998, Heikkilä & al. 2002). Restoration of drained mires has began relatively recently and the research based knowledge of the ecological effects of the restoration are still forthcoming. Nevertheless, in order for the restoration to be effective, the ecological effects of restoration must be known. Therefore, the monitoring of the effects of restoration should be planned and carried out carefully in experimental setups with appropriate controls. [Continues, please see the article]