UAV-based remote sensing to characterise local-scale spatial variation in the occurrences of the host plant and larvae nests of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly (Euphydras aurinia)
(2023) In Student thesis series INES NGEK01 20231Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
- Abstract
- The survival and persistence of the threatened Marsh Fritillary butterfly (E. aurinia) is linked to the availability of its host plant, the Devil’s Bit (S. pratensis), which primarily inhibits calcareous grasslands. Previous research has established that mapping the distribution of S. pratensis serves as a reliable indicator for identifying the presence of E. aurinina larvae nests. In this study, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), ground surface temperature and solar irradiation were obtained using the Altum PT multispectral sensor and the light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor on an Unmanned Airborne Vehicle (UAV). The aim was to evaluate if remotely sensed variables are... (More)
- The survival and persistence of the threatened Marsh Fritillary butterfly (E. aurinia) is linked to the availability of its host plant, the Devil’s Bit (S. pratensis), which primarily inhibits calcareous grasslands. Previous research has established that mapping the distribution of S. pratensis serves as a reliable indicator for identifying the presence of E. aurinina larvae nests. In this study, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), ground surface temperature and solar irradiation were obtained using the Altum PT multispectral sensor and the light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor on an Unmanned Airborne Vehicle (UAV). The aim was to evaluate if remotely sensed variables are sufficient to characterize local-spatial occurrences of S. pratensis and E. aurinia larvae nests. The UAV was deployed near the northeast coast of the island of Gotland, Sweden. Three consecutive flights were performed: one in July, another in August, and a third in September 2022. Field inventories were carried out in September 2022. Three populations were sampled: Empty plots, S. pratensis plots and E. aurinia & S. pratensis plots. The remotely sensed data were processed to a resolution of 0.25 meters. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and one-sample t-tests compared remotely sensed variables with field inventory data. NDVI and NDWI were significant for sample plots containing S. pratensis and E. aurinia larvae nests. Solar irradiation was significant for the presence of S. pratensis, and ground surface temperature also plays a role in the local-spatial occurrence of E. aurinia larvae nests, although complementary analyses are needed. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9134037
- author
- Gunnarsson, Klara LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- NGEK01 20231
- year
- 2023
- type
- M2 - Bachelor Degree
- subject
- keywords
- Marsh Fritillary, Euphydryas aurinia, Devil’s bit, Succisa pratensis, Solar irradiation, SEBE, NDVI, NDWI, ground surface temperature, Remote sensing, LiDAR, Altum PT, calcareous grasslands, larvae nests, habitat
- publication/series
- Student thesis series INES
- report number
- 594
- language
- English
- id
- 9134037
- date added to LUP
- 2023-08-15 10:14:36
- date last changed
- 2023-08-15 10:14:36
@misc{9134037, abstract = {{The survival and persistence of the threatened Marsh Fritillary butterfly (E. aurinia) is linked to the availability of its host plant, the Devil’s Bit (S. pratensis), which primarily inhibits calcareous grasslands. Previous research has established that mapping the distribution of S. pratensis serves as a reliable indicator for identifying the presence of E. aurinina larvae nests. In this study, the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), ground surface temperature and solar irradiation were obtained using the Altum PT multispectral sensor and the light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor on an Unmanned Airborne Vehicle (UAV). The aim was to evaluate if remotely sensed variables are sufficient to characterize local-spatial occurrences of S. pratensis and E. aurinia larvae nests. The UAV was deployed near the northeast coast of the island of Gotland, Sweden. Three consecutive flights were performed: one in July, another in August, and a third in September 2022. Field inventories were carried out in September 2022. Three populations were sampled: Empty plots, S. pratensis plots and E. aurinia & S. pratensis plots. The remotely sensed data were processed to a resolution of 0.25 meters. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and one-sample t-tests compared remotely sensed variables with field inventory data. NDVI and NDWI were significant for sample plots containing S. pratensis and E. aurinia larvae nests. Solar irradiation was significant for the presence of S. pratensis, and ground surface temperature also plays a role in the local-spatial occurrence of E. aurinia larvae nests, although complementary analyses are needed.}}, author = {{Gunnarsson, Klara}}, language = {{eng}}, note = {{Student Paper}}, series = {{Student thesis series INES}}, title = {{UAV-based remote sensing to characterise local-scale spatial variation in the occurrences of the host plant and larvae nests of the Marsh Fritillary butterfly (Euphydras aurinia)}}, year = {{2023}}, }