Species diversity of vascular plants and day-active Lepidoptera on buffer zones in Southern Finland, 2009

The data originates from national monitoring on the effects of the Finnish agri-environment support scheme (MYTVAS). The effects of buffer zones on biodiversity were studied in a case study of 21 buffer zones of differing age in southern Finland in summer 2009. Vascular plants and day-active Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) were studied as biodiversity indicators. Their species richness in buffer zones was compared to other linear uncultivated semi-natural habitats available in the study landscapes, i.e. forest edges and field margins, and particularly the field margin between the studied buffer zone and the neighboring waterway. In each of 21 landscapes, data was collected on ten 50 m long transect lines, of which two were located in each habitat type. Several environmental variables were evaluated on the transect lines and in surrounding landscape.

The methods are described in the following publication:
Heliölä, J., Virtanen, L., Sandholm, L. & Kuussaari, M. 2010b. Suojavyöhykkeiden merkitys putkilokasvien ja suurper-hosten monimuotoisuudelle. (Significance of buffer zones for the diversity of vascular plants and diurnal Macrolepi-doptera, in Finnish). In: Aakkula, J., Manninen, T. & Nurro, M. (eds.). Follow-up study on the impacts of agri-environment measures (MYTVAS 3). Mid-term report. Maa- ja metsätalousministeriön julkaisuja 1: 94-104.