The Cascades butterfly project: A protocol for monitoring subalpine butterflies and plant phenology in the Cascade Mountains of Washington

Rochefort, Regina; McLaughlin, John

The Cascades Butterfly Project (CBP) is a long-term monitoring program in which citizen scientists and National Park Service biologists monitor butterfly abundances and plant phenology in subalpine meadows of the Cascade Mountains. Our broad goals are to understand the influence of climate change on high-elevation ecosystems, document changes in species distributions and abundances, communicate these impacts to the public, and provide these data to inform protection of National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service lands. Subalpine and alpine ecosystems are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change because species in these areas are adapted to long winters and short, mild growing seasons. Climate models project warmer air temperatures and declining snowpack which will result in longer snow-free summer seasons, but also warmer and drier conditions for plants and animals. We are monitoring butterflies and plant phenology because both are extremely sensitive to changes in temperature and precipitation and may provide us with an early warning into future ecosystem changes. Additionally, butterflies and plant flowering stages are easily identified and widely monitored, allowing us to invite citizen scientists to collect data and facilitate comparisons with ecosystems changes being observed in other geographic areas. This report describes a program for long-term monitoring of butterfly abundances and plant phenology in subalpine areas in Cascade Mountains of Washington. Five objectives direct the program: 1. Document and detect trends in butterfly species richness and abundance at sample sites 2. Document and detect trends in phenology of selected butterfly species including dates of emergence, peak abundance, and length of adult flight season at sample sites 3. Document and detect trends in plant flowering times of selected subalpine plant species 4. Work with Citizen Scientists to collect field data, review documented trends, and communicate findings to the public and managers of protected lands 5. Provide opportunities for college students and recent graduates to gain work experience in applied science careers with an emphasis on recruiting diverse youth who are under-represented in natural sciences Butterflies and plants are monitored at each site weekly throughout the summer using the Pollard walk methodology, an international standard supporting comparisons with other regions. Ten, 1km survey routes are located along trails in subalpine meadows in North Cascades National Park, Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and Mount Rainier National Park. All butterflies observed along survey routes are identified and recorded. Plant phenology of selected species is document weekly along each route. A companion report includes detailed standard operating procedures and maps of all survey routes. Monitoring results can be applied to adapt park management, to inform interpretive programs, to develop environmental educational curricula, and to develop inferences about butterfly populations in sub/alpine areas in adjacent National Forests. In addition, butterfly monitoring data will support diverse scientific inquiries regarding biotic responses to climate change in protected areas of the Pacific Northwest region, and broader geographic scales.

The Cascades butterfly project: A protocol for monitoring subalpine butterflies and plant phenology in the Cascade Mountains of Washington

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