Fluttering in a changing world: Effects of urbanization and nectar plants on butterfly movement patterns

We aimed to answer the general question whether urbanization affects butterfly movement patterns and more specific, whether (1) the mobility of the investigated small white (Pieris rapae) and the small heath butterfly (Coenonympha pamphilus) is affected differently and (2) these butterflies show altered tortuosity-patterns along a rural-urban gradient. The study sites were situated along a rural-urban gradient in the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region (Germany). We recorded GPS-movement trajectories of two common butterfly species differing in territoriality, agility and habitat requirements. Movement trajectories were analyzed in terms of mobility (flight speed and time investment in stopping, resting and nectaring) and tortuosity measures and the effect of urbanization on the derived variables was investigated., The fieldwork was carried out from June to September 2020, between 9:00 and 15:00 h on sunny and calm days. To gain spatial data of butterfly movements, we tracked two to five butterflies per species and study site if the species was present (P. rapae: 3,7±0,9 and C. pamphilus: 3,4±0,8 mean±SD of butterflies per study site), by constantly keeping a distance of about 2.5±0.5 m between observer and animal. Movements of the observer were logged by a DGPS-Receiver with real-time differential correction (“Trimble R10”), mounted on a GPS-backpack and operated via handheld control. The GPS-position was recorded with a temporal resolution of one second and an average horizontal accuracy of 0.02 m.
The high accuracy of the DGPS-Receiver allowed for the tracking of both, large scale fast flight, as well as small scale fluttering flight. In order to be able to identify stops, we noted the respective second on a prepared data sheet every time the observed butterfly was landing. Additionally, w..., , # Fluttering in a changing world: Effects of urbanization and nectar plants on butterfly movement patterns

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.bk3j9kdnn](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.bk3j9kdnn)

## Dataset Overview

This dataset contains the data required to replicate the analyses in Gamrath et al. (in review), investigating whether urbanization and nectar plont abundance affect butterfly movement patterns and more specific, whether (1) the mobility of the investigated small white (*Pieris rapae*) and the small heath butterfly (*Coenonympha pamphilus*) is affected differently, and (2) these butterflies show altered tortuosity-patterns along a rural-urban gradient.

### Timeframe of Data Collection

The fieldwork was carried out from June to September 2020, between 9:00 and 15:00 h on sunny and calm days.

### Study sites

The study was conducted at 29 grassland sites in the metropolitan area of Berlin and its rural surroundings within the federal state of Brandenburg, Germany (Fig. 1; 52°2...,