glow-worm survey efforts in the benelux firefly meeting 21-24 june 2007 - parque biológico de gaia

Glow-worm survey efforts in the Benelux

Firefly meeting 21-24 June 2007 - Parque Biológico de Gaia

Glow-worm Survey in the Benelux• How it all started: 1997

• Anecdotic data suggest decrease in number and size in British populations from 1950

• Start of glow-worm survey with help of general public and volunteers

• Also rumours of decline from the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, France, Germany, other parts of Europe... sometimes leading into surveys

• Suggestion to start similar project for Belgium: thanks to John Tyler and Robin Scagell

Firefly meeting 2007 - Parque Biológico de Gaia

Glow-worm Survey in the BeneluxIn spite of:

• high conspicuousness: bioluminescent displays

• suitability for inventories

no survey efforts were ever done and knowledge of actual distribution of our regional species stayed fragmentary


Glow-worm Survey in the BeneluxGoals:

• gather and mapping of old distribution data

• inform general public about glow-worms

• get data from general public about old sightings or encourage them to send data about new finding places (e.g. garden): store data for updated distribution atlas

• maximise knowledge about ecology, habitat requirements, distribution and possible threats (light pollution, habitat reduction, fragmentation, agricultural intensity + pesticides, drainage, acidification, ...)


Glow-worm Survey in the BeneluxMethod:

1. providing information about species + project

• interviews on the radio, in magazines and newspapers• doing workshops and talks • Contact and help from nature organisations, wildlife

mailing lists, etc.• website:

http://www.inbo.be/content/page.asp?pid=FAU_INS_GLW_Project

2. providing standardised forms:

http://www.inbo.be/content/page.asp?pid=FAU_INS_GLW_Waarnemingsformulier


http://www.inbo.be/content/page.asp?pid=FAU_INS_GLW_Project



Glow-worm Survey in the BeneluxMajor problems:

1. time: getting data into database and maps: expertise at INBO

2. Belgium is a complex country


Belgium is a complex country:Federal state with 3 main regions: Flanders – Walloon - Brussels

Aim: get data from both regions and even from the Netherlands and Luxembourg ... this with and without success

Glow-worm Survey in the Benelux


Glow-worm Survey in the BeneluxMajor problems:

1. time: getting data into database and maps: expertise at INBO2. Belgium is a complex country

→ getting data is no problem: enough interest and response: about 20-40 new sightings each year

Future aims:

• first actualised distribution maps

• continued efforts to make glow-worms known by the public

• efforts to set-up a glow-worm “workgroup” of volunteers and enthusiasts


Glow-worm Survey in the Benelux

Our species:

Lampyris noctiluca L.

Lamprohiza splendidula L.

Phospaenus hemipterus Fourcroy


Lampyris noctiluca


By J. Groenez

Provisory map 2002: distribution in communities

Lamprohiza splendidula


Distribution < 1977

Populations 2005-2007

1 male (OVL 2000; LIM 2005)

Supposed distribution

Phospaenus hemipterus




♀

Set-up for a Portuguese Firefly survey


Survey for PortugalHow it all started: a mail 30 June 2005

• Gonçalo Appleton Figueira: idea of starting up a survey with help from National Geographic Portugal

• Also John Tyler, John Day, Michael Geisthardt were asked to join

• Mails about Phosphaenopterus metzneri, info about species, questions about survey forms, how to set-up an inventory, etc.

• Help with set-up of inquiry forms and species identification tables


Firefly meeting 2007 - Parque Biológico de GaiaFirefly meeting 2007 - Parque Biológico de Gaia

Survey for PortugalSurvey for PortugalFirefly trip : 25 June - July 2006Firefly trip : 25 June - July 2006

• Visit 5 national parks Visit 5 national parks (PN Arrábida, São Mamede, Estrela, (PN Arrábida, São Mamede, Estrela, Montesinho, Peneda-Gerês)Montesinho, Peneda-Gerês)

• show standardised methods + method for show standardised methods + method for PhosphaenusPhosphaenus

• Test inquiry formsTest inquiry forms

• look for fireflies and glow-worms, focus on look for fireflies and glow-worms, focus on PhosphaenusPhosphaenus and and PhosphaenopterusPhosphaenopterus

• First contacts with Parque Biológico de GaiaFirst contacts with Parque Biológico de Gaia

Survey for Portugal“Pirilampos” weblog by Gonçalo to inform public and ask for

volunteers (13 January 2007)http://pirilampos-lightalive.blogspot.com/

With links to:

• field forms: http://www.savefile.com/files/576657

• species identification tables with info + photographs: http://www.savefile.com/files/554207

Radio interviews by Gonçalo (2 April 2007)


http://pirilampos-lightalive.blogspot.com/

http://www.savefile.com/files/576657




Survey for Portugal

Parque Biológico de Gaia

• Major interest in organising Firefly meeting 2007

• Participate in Firefly survey for Portugal

First visit and discussions with Dir. Nuno Gomes Oliveira about logistic set-up and possibilities for a survey:

25-29 May 2007


http://www.gaiaglobal.pt/gaia/linkto?categoryOID=EE82808080CB80GC

Survey for PortugalLogistic set-up and possibilities for a survey: results

A project of this importance needs the support of one or several institutes or (non-profit) organisations:

1. Credibility2. Material 3. Manpower:

• Secretary (answering of telephone calls and e-mails)

• Institute(s) to process even small (initial) costs and to apply for subsidies

• Reknown scientific institute(s)/person(s) :• knowhow about methodology for standardised inventory • Help with data storage and processing

Parque Biológico might provide some support here :Interest for the study and conservation of firefliesNational inquiery about presence of fireflies in 2003


Survey for PortugalProject “Pirilampos de Portugal” could be launched in March 2008:

• Logistic coordination: Parque Biológico de Gaia (secretary, webpage, printing and distribution of information, collection and storage of data, etc.)

• Scientific coordination: Raphael De Cock, J. Grosso-Silva (methodologic support)

• Coordination of excursions in Portugal: Gonçalo Appleton Figueira, Parque de Gaia ?

• Scientific collaboration considered necessary: e.g. CIBIO (Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Genética, Universidade do Porto), PhD. José Manuel Grosso-Silva, Dr. Michael Geisthardt (taxonomy)

• Collaboration of several wildlife associations: e.g. NPEPVS (Núcleo Português de Estudo e Protecção da Vida Selvagem) to mobilise volunteers and for fundraising for material supports.

• Inform and invite schools, National Corps of Scouts (Corpo Nacional de Escutas - CNE), Nature Parks and other protected areas, City councils and other entities to help us with a national census of fireflies


Survey for PortugalProposal for 2-way approach:

1. National census: General public

2. Census within protected areas or focused on particular (rare) species:

Night excursions in chosen routes


Survey for Portugal1. National census:

General public

– providing info through internet, guide, media

– request to send observations (e.g. done within gardens, parks, evening walks, weekend holidays, etc.)

– minimal info required: date, location, species/species-group, number(class) (extra’s if possible: gender/stage, habitat, conditions: weather, light pollution, etc.)


Survey for Portugal2. Census within protected areas or focused on particular (rare)

species:

Night excursions in chosen routes

– Well-planned excursions to beforehand chosen walking routes “transects” (max 2 km) within protected, isolated or otherwise interesting areas

– At least 2 persons /transect: e.g. volunteers lead by a specialist and/or local guide

– Several visits a year: at least 3 times (April – end July)– Each year another set of transects within a NP or in a new selection of NPs

and revisit after 5 years for monitoring– Also specialists of other species group could join to detect new populations

in the meanwhile: bats, night birds, grasshoppers, amphibians, etc.. – Data collected: date, species, number(class), gender/stage,+ specimen

collection for possible new species, detailed mapping of findings, description of conditions (weather, light pollution, etc.), habitats and behaviour


Survey for PortugalJune 2007 - March 2008:

Firefly meeting: input from other survey projects + more serious negotiations and appointments between partners about possibilities and division of tasks.

Elaboration of contacts and requests for collaboration

Edition of a small guide “Fireflies of Portugal” (Pirilampos de Portugal)


Survey for PortugalGuide “Fireflies of Portugal” (Pirilampos de Portugal):• +/- 20 pages• Contents:

– General Introduction – About fireflies (systematics, taxonomy, evolution, ecology,

bioluminescence....)

– Fireflies in the World (generic description of the species and world-wide distribution)

– Fireflies in Portugal (bibliographical revision, with comments of José Manuel, Gonçalo, Raphael, etc.)

– Guide of the Portuguese Fireflies (descriptive fiches, photos and drawings, ecology and behaviour of each species, etc.)

– Presentation of the “Projecto Pirilampos de Portugal” (How to collaborate - fiches of inquiry, etc.)


Obrigado

Questions?


glow-worm survey efforts in the benelux firefly meeting 21-24 june 2007 - parque biológico de gaia

Documents

gaia slide

parque biolgico

benelux firefly meeting

glowworm survey efforts

success glowworm survey

fragmentary firefly

enthusiasts firefly

robin scagell firefly