Linear features and butterflies: the importance of green lanes

摘要: Abstract Green lanes are unmetalled tracks between fields of variable width, which may be sunk below or raised above field level, and bounded on both sides by ‘grass’ banks, hedgerows dry-stone walls. In the UK they have no unique planning status been overlooked as discrete landscape elements. were surveyed for butterflies in 1997 lowland arable farmland Trafford/north Cheshire border (Warburton) upland grassland Yorkshire Dales (Ribble Valley). At site green vegetation compared with grass banks single hedgerow boundaries; at farm, walls Data from earlier work a largely farm (Manydown) Hampshire 1987 1988 re-analysed to make comparisons lane, rides glades two coppiced woodlands, surrounding fields. lanes, whether stone superior other common biotopes exception woodland, terms butterfly abundance species richness. Multiple regression Warburton data indicated importance adjacent habitat type, nectar sources richness abundance. The interior had lower windspeeds, more bramble than banks. By their nature occupy larger area uncropped land, subject reduced disturbance regime inputs agrochemicals fertilisers. Their value biodiversity reservoirs intensively managed land is likely high.