Energy metabolism in the butterfly parnassius apollo from pieniny mountains (southern poland) and its possible use for biotope assessment

摘要

In europe the apollo butterfly - considered to be the symbol of insect protection - is a relic of interglacial fauna. Presently occurence of this rare species is limited to areas with rather severe climatic conditions.In Poland it inhabits screes covering mountain-sides of Pieniny and Tatra Mts. These biotopes occupy rather small areas, nevertheless numerous plant and animal species - particularly insects - can be found there. Nowadays, due to human activities influencing the whole landscape, these formerly stable habitats are submitted to destructive factors of both natural and anthropogenic origin. The most severe natural threat is overgrowing of the screes by bushes and trees, due to lack of large herbivores, and planned aforestation with confiers (also new ecotypes of spruce) and deciduous species. For this reason artificial deforestation of these biotopes is necessary for their further existence. In the last few decades another threatening factor seems to be of growing importance. Numerous chimneys, exhaust-pipes of pollutants. Moreover, the lay-out of Pieniny massifs creates a natural barrier for air-borne pollutants combing from the south and west. The screes, covering mostly southern or south-western slopes, are particularly exposed to their influence.