Santander urban parks show increased butterfly diversity in naturalized areas

A study conducted by SEO/BirdLife in Santander has revealed that naturalized urban parks and gardens attract significantly higher butterfly diversity compared to frequently mowed areas. Researchers monitored five major city parks—Parque 2020, Mataleñas, Las Llamas, La Remonta, and La Vaca—using the Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (BMS) methodology.

The findings show that 22 different butterfly species were detected in non-mowed zones, whereas only 10 species were found in mowed areas. The organization noted that butterflies rely on nectar from flowers, which are often absent or scarce in areas subject to frequent mowing.

In addition to generalist species, the less-mowed areas support specialist species that require more demanding ecological conditions. Some species, such as the Old World Swallowtail (macaón), the Scarce Swallowtail (dorada de orla ancha), and the Dark Green Fritillary (dorada oscura), were found exclusively in these naturalized zones. SEO/BirdLife emphasizes that reducing mowing frequency fosters richer habitats with diverse plant species and staggered flowering periods.