Area selection for the conservation of butterflies in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands

Coverage provided by the network of protected areas in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands was tested by measuring the coincidence between the squares protected by the network and the butterfly species recorded for such UTM grid squares. Five species were found to be absent in the network. The protected areas with the highest numbers of butterfly species were Ordesa National Park and Monte Perdido and the Posets–Maladeta Natural Park. Priority areas were selected using WORLDMAP software and showed that the all species of butterflies in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands can be found within 16 squares of 10 x 10 km (nine of them not within the network of protected areas). More specific area selections were also carried out: eight squares supported the total number of threatened species, five hosted all the Iberian endemisms and 13 harboured the rare butterfly species. This study detected 16 squares that are not currently protected but are important for butterfly conservation in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands.

Key words: Conservation, Butterflies, Gap analysis, Protected areas, Iberian Peninsula, Balearic Islands.