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Optimising the Reintroduction of a Threatened Peatland Butterfly; a Case Study of an Invertebrate Species Reintroduction Andrew W. Osborne (25144669) N/A Aims and Objectives: The aim of this PhD thesis is to improve the current understanding of C. tullia reintroduction biology, improving the chances of success for future C. tullia reintroductions. In order to achieve this goal, the objectives were: (1) To establish the baseline condition of the Chat Moss ecosystem. (2) Model C. tullia behaviour in relation to habitat resources. (3) Investigate the role of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and satellite remote sensing when employed in fine scale ecological monitoring. Methods: A literature-based study was conducted into the historical ecology and destruction of the Chat Moss ecosystem, including C. tullia's historical presence and local extinction (Chapter 2). Detailed long-term monitoring of butterfly flight behaviour was undertaken, between late May and the end of June 2020 – 2025 (Chapters 3, 4 and 6). Flight points were geolocated with meter accuracy using a surveyor grade GNSS receiver and spatially related to host plants Eriophorum vaginatum and Erica tetralix, as well as abiotic and biotic environmental factors; ecological modelling was employed to quantify these relationships (Chapters 3, 4 and 6). Because of the reliance placed on accurate geolocation in all sections of the PhD thesis a surveyor grade GNSS receiver was deployed; a small trial was conducted to validate the accuracy and precision of this specialist receiver (Chapter 5). Potential reintroduction sites on peatland nature reserves within the Chat Moss region were investigated by employing a combination of terrestrial quadrat surveys and bitemporal, high-resolution, multispectral satellite imagery (Chapter 7). As investigations were completed they were submitted for peer review, adding to the body of species reintroduction science literature. Key Findings: A detailed description of the historical ecology of Chat Moss was synthesised; the historical landscape and species presence were defined, and documented human activity related to the destruction the peatland ecosystem and local extinctions (Chapter 2). In 2020 the newly released C. tullia formed a tight colony, which gradually expanded during the flight season and the following year (Chapter 3). Occasional outliers were observed on suitable habitat patches up to several hundred meters distant from the release point. Coenonympha tullia presence was significantly predicted by the host plants and estimates obtained for critical habitat resource thresholds (Chapter 4). Throughout the course of the reintroduction programme occupancy decreased steadily; at a local scale occupancy was related to high percentage cover of E. vaginatum and E. tetralix, although most local sites were inhospitable, and unstable weather conditions during the winter and summer of 2024 also impacted on the C. tullia population (Chapter 6). The specialist GNSS receiver was significantly more reliable than standard hand-held receivers (Chapter 5). The satellite remote sensing method significantly predicted butterfly occurrence and terrestrial survey results, predicting ecological regions and generating ecoregion maps (Chapter 7). Conclusions: The rate of insect species reintroduction failure remains high, despite improvements in techniques and the development of the related sciences of restoration ecology and reintroduction biology. This PhD thesis demonstrates the use of ecological modelling techniques to identify specific critical thresholds for habitat resource provision and the potential benefits of collaboration between reserve managers and university departments. Implications for Practice: There is frequently a deficiency of critical habitat requirement data for rare and endangered species - these knowledge gaps need to be identified and acknowledged. The determination of specific, measurable, thresholds for habitat resource provision requires detailed investigation; ideally this should be conducted prior to reintroductions, however post-release monitoring provides an ideal opportunity to closely observe and model the target species’ habitat use over multiple years. 2026-09-30T15:26:11Z Text Thesis 10.83056/mmu.34033437.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Optimising_the_Reintroduction_of_a_Threatened_Peatland_Butterfly_a_Case_Study_of_an_Invertebrate_Species_Reintroduction/34033437 CC BY-NC-ND 4.0