Distribution patterns and indicator species of butterfly assemblages of wet meadows in southern Belgium

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Focal species are a valuable tool for proposing and evaluating management practices for biodiversity conservation. Assemblages of indicator species could be used to cover a wide range of habitats. We identified the main patterns of variation in butterfly assemblages on a diverse set of wet meadows in southern Belgium. We used multivariate techniques to identify the butterfly assemblages and the species that characterize these habitats. Three main assemblages were identified, based principally on the dominance of five butterfly species: Brenthis ino, Clos-siana selene, Lycaena helle, Lycaena hippothoe and Proclossiana eunomia. These are indicator species of different habitats structured along a vegetation gradient. This gradient is partially determined by altitude and edaphic factors (base-richness, pH, fertility). We assume that focusing the conservation practices upon these species will promote the preservation of a wide range of organisms inhabiting the wet meadows.