Habitat restoration as a recovery tool for a disturbance-dependent butterfly, the endangered St. Francis’ Satyr

Abstract

Habitat restoration is a key management strategy for species that experience loss, fragmentation or degradation of their habitat. The St. Francis’ satyr is a federally endangered butterfly found only on Ft. Bragg Army Installation in North Carolina that depends on frequent disturbance to maintain its preferred habitat, ephemeral wetlands. Over the course of 4 years, we restored and maintained critical habitat for the St. Francis’ satyr through a combination of hardwood removal and inundation via artificial dams to mimic natural beaver and fire disturbance. Here we present our insights into the challenges of creating and maintaining restored habitat for a species dependent on frequent disturbance, the results of experimental testing of demographic success, and the complexities in carrying out a captive rearing program.We discuss how species that are dependent on disturbance created habitat pose a unique challenge in creating and implementing a long-term plan to maintain a dynamic landscape.