The effect of forest ski‐pistes on butterfly assemblages in the Alps

摘要: Abstract.  1. The abandonment of man-made pastures below the tree line is favouring natural reforestation in European Alps. As such, creation forest ski-pistes might, paradoxically, be beneficial to butterflies. This study first focus on effects butterfly assemblages (Lepidoptera, Rhopalocera). 2. We sampled both butterflies and flowers ski-pistes, adjacent forests nearest at three sites Aosta Valley (north-western Italian Alps). 3. Transect counts showed that were more abundant (and forests) than pastures. However, species richness diversity lower nearby Flower abundance was higher, but flower Multivariate regression trees indicated positively associated with diversity. 4. We conclude that: (i) higher because mid-summer these grassland strips (ii) isolation and/or smaller area by comparison pastures. 5. In Alps, several are conservation concern. Ski-pistes probably sub-optimal habitats for Nevertheless, within a framework, they may useful conservation, condition completely re-vegetated grass cover favoured maintained facilitate their colonisation.