Biodiv Sci ›› 2006, Vol. 14 ›› Issue (3): 216-222.  DOI: 10.1360/biodiv.060034

Special Issue: 昆虫多样性与生态功能

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Butterfly diversity along a gradient of urbanization: Chongqing as a case study

Hua Yan1, 2, Xingzhong Yuan 1, 2*, Wenping Liu 3, Heli Deng 3   

  1. 1 College of Resources and Environmental Science, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044
    2 Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Region’s Eco-Environment (Chongqing University), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400044
    3 Chongqing Nature Museum, Chongqing 400700
  • Received:2006-02-22 Revised:2006-04-12 Online:2006-05-20 Published:2006-05-20
  • Contact: Xingzhong Yuan

Abstract:

To investigate the butterfly diversity in Chongqing Municipality, we selected five sampling sections along a gradient of urbanization from Shaping District to Beibei District, namely Shaping Park, Nanxikou, Huitoupo, Jigong Mountain, and Jinyun Mountain. A total of 4,802 butterfly individuals were collected, belonging to 11 families and 41 genera. Of these, the dominant species are Pieris canidia, P. rapae, and Pseudozizeeria maha, while common species are Graphium sarpedon, Eurema hecabe, Lethe syrcis, Polygonia caureum, Tongeia filicaudis, and Parnara guttata. The diversity indexes ranked in the following order:Jinyun Moun-tain>Huitoupo>Jigong Mountain>Nanxikou>Shaping Park. It is concluded that butterfly diversity, which is the highest in Jinyun Mountain and lowest in Shaping Park, increases with vegetation richness, vegetation coverage, and sunlight. Being significantly impacted by urbanization, butterfly diversity can serve as an effective indicator of urban environmental quality and change.

Key words: biodiversity, DIVERSITAS, restoration, information system, agrobiodiversity, biosafety