SA016
Spatial and temporal distribution and abundance of butterflies in the Andrews Experimental Forest, 1994-1996

CREATOR(S): Jeffrey C. Miller, Dana N. R. Ross

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S): Jeffrey C. Miller

ORIGINATOR(S): Dana N. R. Ross

OTHER RESEARCHER(S): Julia A. Jones

DATA SET CONTACT PERSON: Jeffrey C. Miller

METADATA CONTACT: Jeffrey C. Miller

DATA SET CREDIT:

NSF grants: DEB-80-12122, DEB-96-32921;

METADATA CREATION DATE:

27 Feb 2002

MOST RECENT METADATA REVIEW DATE:

7 Jan 2014

KEYWORDS:

Populations, populations, Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER), phenology, biodiversity, trophic structure

PURPOSE:

To detect patterns in the distribution and abundance of butterfly species in time and space across various plant communities within the entire HJA Forest watershed for multiple years.

METHODS:

Experimental Design - SA016:

Description: Butterfly surveys were conducted throughout the Lookout Creek watershed of the HJA over 1- to 3-day periods during 1994 and 1995. Surveys occurred at approximately two week intervals and about one-third of the total watershed was sampled each time, on a rotating basis. The time between surveys, therefore, was effectively six weeks for any one portion of the HJA. Surveys commenced in April and May with the onset of warm, sunny weather and ended once cool, wet conditions prevailed in October. The highest elevations of the forest, including Carpenter Mountain and Frissell Ridge, were not visited until late May or early June due to the presence of snow drifts on roads which blocked access.

Field Methods - SA016:

Description: Quantitative butterfly surveys were performed during mid-day hours (10:00am to 3:00pm) by driving slowly along roads and inspecting the sunny portions of roadsides and adjacent areas on foot. Individual butterfly checklists were made for each 1110th mile of road surveyed. Most records were based on sight identifications as most species were easily identified without capture. When the identity of an individual was in doubt, it was netted and identified in hand or was retained for positive determination upon return from the field.

Processing Procedure - SP016:

Description: The survey data were entered into a notebook in the field. Field data were then entered into a database (Borland PARADOX, version 5.0) upon return to the lab. This database allowed for the retrieval of specific subsets of information that greatly facilitated analyses. HJA distribution maps were constructed for each species by placing small adhesive paper dots, representing site records, onto a topographic U. S. Forest Service map of the HJA Forest (1986, scale 1:24,000). In addition to showing elevation (contour interval 80 feet), roads and streams, the map information included watershed numbers, harvest units, and a grid of Township, Range and Section.

Taxonomic Procedures - SA016:

Description: Voucher specimens of virtually all species encountered were collected and deposited in the AFAC at Oregon State University. Each voucher specimen was provided with a data label denoting location, date of collection, and collector.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

PI: photographs; Oregon State University Department of Entomology: physical specimens or collections.

TAXONOMIC SYSTEM:

ITIS, the Integrated Taxonomic Information System

GEOGRAPHIC EXTENT:

entire HJA watershed

ELEVATION_MINIMUM (meters):

ELEVATION_MAXIMUM (meters):

MEASUREMENT FREQUENCY:

biweekly

PROGRESS DESCRIPTION:

Complete

UPDATE FREQUENCY DESCRIPTION:

asNeeded

CURRENTNESS REFERENCE:

Ground condition

RELATED MATERIAL:

Taxonomic Authority: Hinchliff, J. 1994. An Atlas of Oregon Butterflies. OSU Bookstore.