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Abstract <p><i>Lycaena helle</i> is a glacial relict, threatened by habitat and climate change, and designated as conservation priority species. It has been discovered recently within an isolated colony on Stara Planina Mt., facing threats from habitat overgrowing and large scale fires. The study aims to explore species population and map its distribution to aid future conservation efforts. The population was surveyed using the mark-release-recapture method, distribution was mapped in the field, while habitat preferences and potential distribution were explored using correlative ecological niche models. The local population of <i>L. helle</i> was estimated to 724 individuals, with more than 10,000 adults in the metapopulation system. Colonisation events and increasing metapopulation occupancy suggest functional metapopulation structure. The residence of females (0.84) was lower compared to males (0.95), suggesting a higher emigration rate among females in search for oviposition resources. Ecological niche models confirmed species preferences towards higher altitudes with low vegetation cover and nitrate rich soils, where some of these highlands could be lost with the rise in global temperature. A large fire in 2019 rendered a portion of the habitat unsuitable even after five years, while localised fire events did not seem to affect species survival.</p> Implications for insect conservation <p>Large and functional metapopulation of <i>L. helle</i> on Stara Planina Mt. requires limited habitat management to prevent overgrowing, preferably through traditional animal grazing. Conservation efforts are required to map suitable habitats using ecological niche models as a guide, and to implement monitoring protocols for timely habitat interventions and prevention of population decline.</p>

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Securing a future for Serbia’s newly discovered Lycaena helle: conservation recommendations from population study and ecological niche models

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月29日

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  • Milan Ilić,
  • Iva Stojanović,
  • Marko Nikolić,
  • Miloš Popović

摘要

Abstract

Lycaena helle is a glacial relict, threatened by habitat and climate change, and designated as conservation priority species. It has been discovered recently within an isolated colony on Stara Planina Mt., facing threats from habitat overgrowing and large scale fires. The study aims to explore species population and map its distribution to aid future conservation efforts. The population was surveyed using the mark-release-recapture method, distribution was mapped in the field, while habitat preferences and potential distribution were explored using correlative ecological niche models. The local population of L. helle was estimated to 724 individuals, with more than 10,000 adults in the metapopulation system. Colonisation events and increasing metapopulation occupancy suggest functional metapopulation structure. The residence of females (0.84) was lower compared to males (0.95), suggesting a higher emigration rate among females in search for oviposition resources. Ecological niche models confirmed species preferences towards higher altitudes with low vegetation cover and nitrate rich soils, where some of these highlands could be lost with the rise in global temperature. A large fire in 2019 rendered a portion of the habitat unsuitable even after five years, while localised fire events did not seem to affect species survival.

Implications for insect conservation

Large and functional metapopulation of L. helle on Stara Planina Mt. requires limited habitat management to prevent overgrowing, preferably through traditional animal grazing. Conservation efforts are required to map suitable habitats using ecological niche models as a guide, and to implement monitoring protocols for timely habitat interventions and prevention of population decline.