Butterfly numbers 2.2 times higher in managed game woods

With UK butterfly population figures in the news today I was reminded of some of the findings from our 2005 study into the effects of pheasant management at wood edges.

As the graph below shows, butterfly numbers were 2.2 times higher at game woods than in non-game woods in East Anglia. The number of butterfly species was also 1.5 times higher.

Game woods had a more sloping profile and 1.3 times greater shrub cover up to 4 metres high than non-game woods in Eaat Anglia, but not in Hampshire. Also shrub density 10 metres inside the wood was 1.7 times higher in game woods than non-game woods in East Anglia, but not Hampshire.

You can download our 2005 Annual Review and read our study into the effects of pheasant management at wood edges, it's on page 30.