Using Population Viability Analysis (PVA) to inform and adapt ex situ conservation activities benefitting a Critically Endangered butterfly

Population viability analysis (PVA) can be a useful decision-support tool to leverage uncertainty to avoid conservation hesitancy and paralysis. We developed a novel PVA model to help evaluate the effectiveness of a range of ex situ management options for the Critically Endangered Poweshiek skipperling butterfly. 
The PVA indicated that the last three known United States populations face high likelihoods of extinction in the absence of supportive ex situ management, particularly when population sizes and in situ survival rates are low.
Modeling indicated that a headstarting program initiated in 2017 to reinforce these populations was only likely delaying extirpation. Persistence probabilities fell once the program was concluded, regardless of population size or survival rate.
An alternative ex situ breeding program provided significant boosts to the persistence of all populations by producing significantly more individuals available for releases than a headstarting progra..., , # Using Population Viability Analysis (PVA) to inform and adapt ex situ conservation activities benefitting a Critically Endangered butterfly

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.bcc2fqzr9](10.5061/dryad.bcc2fqzr9)

## Description of the data and file structure

Each zipped folder contains the needed executable files to run the scenarios outlined in the manuscript \"**Using Population Viability Analysis to inform and adapt *ex situ* conservation activities benefitting a Critically Endangered butterfly\"** by Runquist et al. in the program *Vortex 10*. 

### Files and variables

#### File: BaselineNoExSituMgmt.zip

**Description:** Executable files (.xml, .bak, .bak2) for the Baseline scenario in which no ex situ management occurs. Also contains the folder VOutput for the data outputs of all simulated scenario parameter variations. Open all files in Vortex 10.

Output files are named by their combination of the parameter variations. For example: NoMgmtSurv03N25 files are associated with model runs...,