The Ecology of Butterflies in Britain

About this book

This new book offers a full-scale treatment of British butterfly ecology. We have not had a comparable source-book for many years, and now it comes at a time when many butterfly populations worldwide, including about half the British species, are in decline. The authors bring together new ideas, facts, and figures from recent studies to discuss individual butterfly behaviour and adaptations; population dynamics, community structure, distributions, and habitats; and the underlying genetics and evolutionary pathways. The last chapter focuses on conservation. Information is presented in considerable detail, and The Ecology of Butterflies in Britain includes an extensive glossary, full bibliography, many tables, appendices on hostplants and habitats, and more than ninety figures. Students of butterflies, ecology, and natural history will find it an invaluable reference tool as well as a benchmark in ecological studies.

The authors are well known for their work in research, conservation, and education. They are: Roger Dennis, Tim Shreeve, Keith Shreeve, Keith Porter, Martin Warren, Paul Brakefield, Jeremy Thomas, and Caroline Steel. Derek Whiteley prepared the figures.

Contents

1. Islands, regions, ranges, and gradients
2. Adult behaviour
3. Eggs and egg-laying
4. Butterfly populations
5. Avoidance, concealment, and defence
6. Monitoring butterfly movements
7. Butterflies and communities
8. Diversity within populations
9. Case studies in evolution
10. An evolutionary history of British butterflies
11. The conservation of British butterflies

Glossary
Bibliography
Appendices
Author and subject indexes

Customer Reviews

Biography

Edited by Roger L. H. Dennis, Retired. Also NERC CEH Honorary Research Fellow and a Research Associate at Oxford Brookes University.


Contributors:
- Professor Paul Brakefield, Leiden University
- Dr Keith Porter, English Nature, Newbury
- Dr Tim Shreeve, Oxford Polytechnic
- Mrs C A Steel, Oxford
- Dr Jeremy Thomas, Furzebrook Research Station, Dorset