El Nino and Butteflies

[Kondla, Norbert FOR:EX]

interesting topic. persons looking for research projects may wish to
consider exploring this on the prairies and foothills of southwestern
Alberta where it is not unusual to have dry winters or long dry periods
within winters where the parched soil and lack of snow cover conditions
occur due to strong winds known as 'chinooks'. these cause dramatic
fluctuations in temperature and soil moisture.  from a purely anecdotal
perspective i can observe that butterfly populations in that area seem
to have survived these conditions for thousands of years-altho one can
reasonably speculate that particularly severe oscillations may result in
equally significant oscillations in the populations of particular
species. in a natural, pre-settlement situation this would not be a
problem due to habitat connectivity allowing recolonization for those
populations that would be extinguished by combinations of natural events
suchas dry winter/grass fire. in modern times it is an issue for persons
managing protected areas due to habitat destruction by agriculture and
the resultant fragmentation which impairs recolonization of residual
habitat

> ----------
> From: 	Daniel Glaeske[SMTP:dglaeske at epping.ndak.net]
> Reply To: 	dglaeske at epping.ndak.net
> Sent: 	Thursday, February 12, 1998 6:57 AM
> To: 	leps-l at lists.yale.edu
> Subject: 	El Nino and Butteflies
> 
> Now for a change in topic.  
> 
> Out here in the northwestern prairies we have had an abominable lack
> of
> snow cover this winter.  Big cracks have appeared in the soil and I'm
> not certain there is much frost in the ground.  
> 
> Any comments as to what this may do to species that overwinter as
> pupae?  Particularly ones that pupate in the ground, like skippers. 
> Although we have had a relatively mild winter, I am concerned that
> several species out here will decline (or continue to decline) because
> of the lack of ground insulation.  The last brown Christmas in these
> parts was in the early 70's.  Anybody remember what happened to
> butterfly populations the following spring back then?
> 
> Daniel
>