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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)

Gunnarsson, Klara LU (2023) In Student thesis series INES NGEK01 20231
Dept 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)
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author
Gunnarsson, Klara LU
supervisor
organization
course
NGEK01 20231
year
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}},
}