Zoe Randle | Butterfly Conservation (original) (raw)

Papers by Zoe Randle

Research paper thumbnail of Farm scale evaluations of herbicide tolerant genetically modified crops - beet

This dataset consists of a range of ecological measurements collected from a set of arable fields... more This dataset consists of a range of ecological measurements collected from a set of arable fields, each sown with a combination of genetically modified and conventional beet crops. Measurements include species counts in the following areas: weed seedbank, vegetation in the crop, field edge vegetation, invertebrates. The data were collected as part of the Farm Scale Evaluations (FSEs), a four-year programme of research by independent researchers aimed at studying the effect that the management practices associated with Genetically Modified Herbicide Tolerant (GMHT) crops might have on farmland wildlife, when compared with weed control used with non-GM crops. Data were collected by a consortium of: the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (now the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology), the Institute of Arable Crops Research (now Rothamsted Research) and the Scottish Crop Research Institute, SCRI (now the James Hutton Institute). Data were collected for four crops overall (Beet, Maize, Spring-so...

Research paper thumbnail of Crop management and agronomic context of the Farm Scale Evaluations of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2003

The Farm Scale Evaluations of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops (GMHT) were conducted... more The Farm Scale Evaluations of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops (GMHT) were conducted in the UK from 2000 to 2002 on beet (sugar and fodder), spring oilseed rape and forage maize. The management of the crops studied is described and compared with current conventional commercial practice. The distribution of field sites adequately represented the areas currently growing these crops, and the sample contained sites operated at a range of management intensities, including low intensity. Herbicide inputs were audited, and the active ingredients used and the rates and the timings of applications compared well with current practice for both GMHT and conventional crops. Inputs on sugar beet were lower than, and inputs on spring oilseed rape and forage maize were consistent with, national averages. Regression analysis of herbicide-application strategies and weed emergence showed that inputs applied by farmers increased with weed densities in beet and forage maize. GMHT crops generally received only one herbicide active ingredient per crop, later and fewer herbicide sprays and less active ingredient (for beet and maize) than the conventional treatments. The audit of inputs found no evidence of bias.

Research paper thumbnail of Countryside Survey 2000. Module 2: Freshwater Studies

Research paper thumbnail of Moths count: recording moths for conservation in the UK

Research paper thumbnail of Maculinea arion as an indicator of rare niches in semi-natural acid grasslands in South West England and the role of Myrmica species of ant

... Special thanks go to Judith Wardlaw for her support (both professional and personal) during t... more ... Special thanks go to Judith Wardlaw for her support (both professional and personal) during this study. Additional thanks go to Graham Elmes, David Simcox and Karsten Schönrogge (the other members of the group formerly known as Myrmecophily at CEH Dorset)! ...

Research paper thumbnail of Air pollution and its effects on lichens, bryophytes, and lichen-feeding Lepidoptera: review and evidence from biological records

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015

Changing air quality has been one of the most important drivers of change for bryophytes and lich... more Changing air quality has been one of the most important drivers of change for bryophytes and lichens in Britain and Ireland over the 20th Century, with acidic pollutants such as sulphur dioxide having large effects on the ranges and abundances of many species. At the same time, expert amateur and professional naturalists have put enormous efforts into recording the distributions of species within these groups. These efforts have provided much evidence for declines and recoveries within the bryophytes and lichens, with species distribution data being linked to airborne pollutants in many different ways. We provide a broad overview of some of the changes that have occurred in affected species, using biological records collected by national recording schemes to illustrate the various effects of air pollution; we also review the direct and indirect impacts of air pollutants on these groups. Environmental change affecting one group of species is also likely to cascade to other groups where trophic or other relationships exist between them. Using data from the volunteer-based National Moth Recording Scheme, we provide the first evidence for an indirect association between reductions in air pollution and increases in lichenivorous moths.

Research paper thumbnail of Science and Socio-Economically-Based Management to Restore Species and Grassland Ecosystems of the Habitats Directive to Degraded Landscapes: The Case of Maculinea Arion in Britain

Research paper thumbnail of Maculinea and myrmecophiles as sensitive indicators of grassland butterflies (umbrella species), ants (keystone species) and other invertebrates. I

Research paper thumbnail of Myrmica ants as keystone species and Maculinea arion as an indicator of rare niches in UK grasslands

Research paper thumbnail of Range expansion and enemy recruitment by eight alien gall wasp species in Britain

Insect Conservation and Diversity, 2012

1. Biological invasions involving continuous range expansion differ from discontinuous introducti... more 1. Biological invasions involving continuous range expansion differ from discontinuous introductions in that invaded and native ranges remain connected, potentially allowing pursuit of range expanding species by their natural enemies. The establishment in Britain of eight alien herbivorous gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipinae) provides a rare opportunity to study continuous range expansion and natural enemy recruitment in a guild of related and ecologically similar species.

Research paper thumbnail of Countryside Survey 2000. Module 2: Freshwater Studies

Research paper thumbnail of Invertebrate responses to the management of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant and conventional spring crops. I. Soil-surface-active invertebrates

Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2003

The effects of herbicide management of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) beet, maize... more The effects of herbicide management of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) beet, maize and spring oilseed rape on the abundance and diversity of soil-surface-active invertebrates were assessed. Most effects did not differ between years, environmental zones or initial seedbanks or between sugar and fodder beet. This suggests that the results may be treated as generally applicable to agricultural situations throughout the UK for these crops. The direction of the effects was evenly balanced between increases and decreases in counts in the GMHT compared with the conventional treatment. Most effects involving a greater capture in the GMHT treatments occurred in maize, whereas most effects involving a smaller capture were in beet and spring oilseed rape. Differences between GMHT and conventional crop herbicide management had a significant effect on the capture of most surface-active invertebrate species and higher taxa tested in at least one crop, and these differences reflected the phenology and ecology of the invertebrates. Counts of carabids that feed on weed seeds were smaller in GMHT beet and spring oilseed rape but larger in GMHT maize. In contrast, collembolan detritivore counts were significantly larger under GMHT crop management.

Research paper thumbnail of Early Parasitoid Recruitment in Invading Cynipid Galls

Biological invasions are widely seen as the biggest threat to biodiversity next to the loss of ha... more Biological invasions are widely seen as the biggest threat to biodiversity next to the loss of habitats. One aspect of considerable interest is the recruitment of natural enemies after the establishment of the invad-ing species and how such enemies link invaders to native communities. However, not all invaders are invasive. Eight cynipid species originating in south-eastern Europe invaded Britain over the last 200 years. Presently they cause no economic concern or have any detectable detrimental effect on the native cynipid fauna. Since their invasions have been allowed to progress without intervention, they provide an excellent opportunity to study the recruitment of natural enemies and their integration into native communities. In contrast, the invasion of Japan by Dryocosmus kuriphilus from China caused great economic concern, because considerable damage to its host trees, Castanea spp. a valuable fruit tree in Japan and elsewhere in the world, is caused by high infestation rates. Here we review the early recruitment of parasitoids to the alien species in the UK and D. kuriphilus in Japan, their role in the invaders population dynamics, and how they link the invaders to native cynipid communities.

Research paper thumbnail of Moths count: recording moths for conservation in the UK

Journal of Insect Conservation, 2011

Insects are under-represented in current assessments of biodiversity loss at global and national ... more Insects are under-represented in current assessments of biodiversity loss at global and national scales. Butterflies, and a few other insect taxa, have been used as indicators of biodiversity change and as flagships for conservation, especially in temperate zones, but these groups are typically species-poor and may not be representative of insects as a whole. Macro-moths, on the other hand, are an important component of UK biodiversity, in terms of both species richness and ecosystem function. Moth abundance has decreased significantly in the UK and there is rapidly growing interest in the surveillance and monitoring of macro-moths among amateur and professional scientists. The Moths Count project was instigated to raise awareness of moths, increase moth recording and set up a long-term National Moth Recording Scheme for c.900 species of macro-moth in the UK. Since 2006, Moths Count has promoted moths to millions of people, trained and engaged thousands in recording and collated over eight million species distribution records into the National Moth Recording Scheme. These data, though incomplete at present, are already contributing to assessments of biodiversity loss and to conservation initiatives. We present initial results which show that substantial changes are already evident for macro-moths in the UK. The northern range margins of a sample of 12 species have shifted northwards by 194.8 km on average between 1982 and 2009 (7.8 km year−1 over the 25 years between survey mid-points). Provisional distribution trends (not corrected for variation in recording effort) were calculated for 43 species and the results corroborated both positive and negative population-level changes assessed previously.

Research paper thumbnail of Crop management and agronomic context of the Farm Scale Evaluations of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops

Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2003

The Farm Scale Evaluations of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops (GMHT) were conducted... more The Farm Scale Evaluations of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops (GMHT) were conducted in the UK from 2000 to 2002 on beet (sugar and fodder), spring oilseed rape and forage maize. The management of the crops studied is described and compared with current conventional commercial practice. The distribution of field sites adequately represented the areas currently growing these crops, and the sample contained sites operated at a range of management intensities, including low intensity. Herbicide inputs were audited, and the active ingredients used and the rates and the timings of applications compared well with current practice for both GMHT and conventional crops. Inputs on sugar beet were lower than, and inputs on spring oilseed rape and forage maize were consistent with, national averages. Regression analysis of herbicide-application strategies and weed emergence showed that inputs applied by farmers increased with weed densities in beet and forage maize. GMHT crops generally received only one herbicide active ingredient per crop, later and fewer herbicide sprays and less active ingredient (for beet and maize) than the conventional treatments. The audit of inputs found no evidence of bias.

Research paper thumbnail of Farm scale evaluations of herbicide tolerant genetically modified crops - beet

This dataset consists of a range of ecological measurements collected from a set of arable fields... more This dataset consists of a range of ecological measurements collected from a set of arable fields, each sown with a combination of genetically modified and conventional beet crops. Measurements include species counts in the following areas: weed seedbank, vegetation in the crop, field edge vegetation, invertebrates. The data were collected as part of the Farm Scale Evaluations (FSEs), a four-year programme of research by independent researchers aimed at studying the effect that the management practices associated with Genetically Modified Herbicide Tolerant (GMHT) crops might have on farmland wildlife, when compared with weed control used with non-GM crops. Data were collected by a consortium of: the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology (now the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology), the Institute of Arable Crops Research (now Rothamsted Research) and the Scottish Crop Research Institute, SCRI (now the James Hutton Institute). Data were collected for four crops overall (Beet, Maize, Spring-so...

Research paper thumbnail of Crop management and agronomic context of the Farm Scale Evaluations of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2003

The Farm Scale Evaluations of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops (GMHT) were conducted... more The Farm Scale Evaluations of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops (GMHT) were conducted in the UK from 2000 to 2002 on beet (sugar and fodder), spring oilseed rape and forage maize. The management of the crops studied is described and compared with current conventional commercial practice. The distribution of field sites adequately represented the areas currently growing these crops, and the sample contained sites operated at a range of management intensities, including low intensity. Herbicide inputs were audited, and the active ingredients used and the rates and the timings of applications compared well with current practice for both GMHT and conventional crops. Inputs on sugar beet were lower than, and inputs on spring oilseed rape and forage maize were consistent with, national averages. Regression analysis of herbicide-application strategies and weed emergence showed that inputs applied by farmers increased with weed densities in beet and forage maize. GMHT crops generally received only one herbicide active ingredient per crop, later and fewer herbicide sprays and less active ingredient (for beet and maize) than the conventional treatments. The audit of inputs found no evidence of bias.

Research paper thumbnail of Countryside Survey 2000. Module 2: Freshwater Studies

Research paper thumbnail of Moths count: recording moths for conservation in the UK

Research paper thumbnail of Maculinea arion as an indicator of rare niches in semi-natural acid grasslands in South West England and the role of Myrmica species of ant

... Special thanks go to Judith Wardlaw for her support (both professional and personal) during t... more ... Special thanks go to Judith Wardlaw for her support (both professional and personal) during this study. Additional thanks go to Graham Elmes, David Simcox and Karsten Schönrogge (the other members of the group formerly known as Myrmecophily at CEH Dorset)! ...

Research paper thumbnail of Air pollution and its effects on lichens, bryophytes, and lichen-feeding Lepidoptera: review and evidence from biological records

Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015

Changing air quality has been one of the most important drivers of change for bryophytes and lich... more Changing air quality has been one of the most important drivers of change for bryophytes and lichens in Britain and Ireland over the 20th Century, with acidic pollutants such as sulphur dioxide having large effects on the ranges and abundances of many species. At the same time, expert amateur and professional naturalists have put enormous efforts into recording the distributions of species within these groups. These efforts have provided much evidence for declines and recoveries within the bryophytes and lichens, with species distribution data being linked to airborne pollutants in many different ways. We provide a broad overview of some of the changes that have occurred in affected species, using biological records collected by national recording schemes to illustrate the various effects of air pollution; we also review the direct and indirect impacts of air pollutants on these groups. Environmental change affecting one group of species is also likely to cascade to other groups where trophic or other relationships exist between them. Using data from the volunteer-based National Moth Recording Scheme, we provide the first evidence for an indirect association between reductions in air pollution and increases in lichenivorous moths.

Research paper thumbnail of Science and Socio-Economically-Based Management to Restore Species and Grassland Ecosystems of the Habitats Directive to Degraded Landscapes: The Case of Maculinea Arion in Britain

Research paper thumbnail of Maculinea and myrmecophiles as sensitive indicators of grassland butterflies (umbrella species), ants (keystone species) and other invertebrates. I

Research paper thumbnail of Myrmica ants as keystone species and Maculinea arion as an indicator of rare niches in UK grasslands

Research paper thumbnail of Range expansion and enemy recruitment by eight alien gall wasp species in Britain

Insect Conservation and Diversity, 2012

1. Biological invasions involving continuous range expansion differ from discontinuous introducti... more 1. Biological invasions involving continuous range expansion differ from discontinuous introductions in that invaded and native ranges remain connected, potentially allowing pursuit of range expanding species by their natural enemies. The establishment in Britain of eight alien herbivorous gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipinae) provides a rare opportunity to study continuous range expansion and natural enemy recruitment in a guild of related and ecologically similar species.

Research paper thumbnail of Countryside Survey 2000. Module 2: Freshwater Studies

Research paper thumbnail of Invertebrate responses to the management of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant and conventional spring crops. I. Soil-surface-active invertebrates

Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2003

The effects of herbicide management of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) beet, maize... more The effects of herbicide management of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) beet, maize and spring oilseed rape on the abundance and diversity of soil-surface-active invertebrates were assessed. Most effects did not differ between years, environmental zones or initial seedbanks or between sugar and fodder beet. This suggests that the results may be treated as generally applicable to agricultural situations throughout the UK for these crops. The direction of the effects was evenly balanced between increases and decreases in counts in the GMHT compared with the conventional treatment. Most effects involving a greater capture in the GMHT treatments occurred in maize, whereas most effects involving a smaller capture were in beet and spring oilseed rape. Differences between GMHT and conventional crop herbicide management had a significant effect on the capture of most surface-active invertebrate species and higher taxa tested in at least one crop, and these differences reflected the phenology and ecology of the invertebrates. Counts of carabids that feed on weed seeds were smaller in GMHT beet and spring oilseed rape but larger in GMHT maize. In contrast, collembolan detritivore counts were significantly larger under GMHT crop management.

Research paper thumbnail of Early Parasitoid Recruitment in Invading Cynipid Galls

Biological invasions are widely seen as the biggest threat to biodiversity next to the loss of ha... more Biological invasions are widely seen as the biggest threat to biodiversity next to the loss of habitats. One aspect of considerable interest is the recruitment of natural enemies after the establishment of the invad-ing species and how such enemies link invaders to native communities. However, not all invaders are invasive. Eight cynipid species originating in south-eastern Europe invaded Britain over the last 200 years. Presently they cause no economic concern or have any detectable detrimental effect on the native cynipid fauna. Since their invasions have been allowed to progress without intervention, they provide an excellent opportunity to study the recruitment of natural enemies and their integration into native communities. In contrast, the invasion of Japan by Dryocosmus kuriphilus from China caused great economic concern, because considerable damage to its host trees, Castanea spp. a valuable fruit tree in Japan and elsewhere in the world, is caused by high infestation rates. Here we review the early recruitment of parasitoids to the alien species in the UK and D. kuriphilus in Japan, their role in the invaders population dynamics, and how they link the invaders to native cynipid communities.

Research paper thumbnail of Moths count: recording moths for conservation in the UK

Journal of Insect Conservation, 2011

Insects are under-represented in current assessments of biodiversity loss at global and national ... more Insects are under-represented in current assessments of biodiversity loss at global and national scales. Butterflies, and a few other insect taxa, have been used as indicators of biodiversity change and as flagships for conservation, especially in temperate zones, but these groups are typically species-poor and may not be representative of insects as a whole. Macro-moths, on the other hand, are an important component of UK biodiversity, in terms of both species richness and ecosystem function. Moth abundance has decreased significantly in the UK and there is rapidly growing interest in the surveillance and monitoring of macro-moths among amateur and professional scientists. The Moths Count project was instigated to raise awareness of moths, increase moth recording and set up a long-term National Moth Recording Scheme for c.900 species of macro-moth in the UK. Since 2006, Moths Count has promoted moths to millions of people, trained and engaged thousands in recording and collated over eight million species distribution records into the National Moth Recording Scheme. These data, though incomplete at present, are already contributing to assessments of biodiversity loss and to conservation initiatives. We present initial results which show that substantial changes are already evident for macro-moths in the UK. The northern range margins of a sample of 12 species have shifted northwards by 194.8 km on average between 1982 and 2009 (7.8 km year−1 over the 25 years between survey mid-points). Provisional distribution trends (not corrected for variation in recording effort) were calculated for 43 species and the results corroborated both positive and negative population-level changes assessed previously.

Research paper thumbnail of Crop management and agronomic context of the Farm Scale Evaluations of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops

Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 2003

The Farm Scale Evaluations of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops (GMHT) were conducted... more The Farm Scale Evaluations of genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops (GMHT) were conducted in the UK from 2000 to 2002 on beet (sugar and fodder), spring oilseed rape and forage maize. The management of the crops studied is described and compared with current conventional commercial practice. The distribution of field sites adequately represented the areas currently growing these crops, and the sample contained sites operated at a range of management intensities, including low intensity. Herbicide inputs were audited, and the active ingredients used and the rates and the timings of applications compared well with current practice for both GMHT and conventional crops. Inputs on sugar beet were lower than, and inputs on spring oilseed rape and forage maize were consistent with, national averages. Regression analysis of herbicide-application strategies and weed emergence showed that inputs applied by farmers increased with weed densities in beet and forage maize. GMHT crops generally received only one herbicide active ingredient per crop, later and fewer herbicide sprays and less active ingredient (for beet and maize) than the conventional treatments. The audit of inputs found no evidence of bias.