Monitoring Melitaea cinxia on Rauer Norway

This project contains data collected in conjunction with the project Monitoring of Melitaea cinxia on Rauer, Norway. The project was established in 2022 and aims to study the effects of different management practices on vegetation, and as such habitat suitability for M. cinxia. In short, 10 permanent vegetation plots (1 m2) were established at two 40 x 40m sites on the island of Rauer, which is a known locality for M. cinxia. Additional plots were established around any winternests of M. cinxia found within each of the 40 x 40 m sites. At each plot, the cover of all vascular plants and vegetation parameters (e.g., vegetation cover, vegetation height) was recorded. In 2022, the dataset contained 32 plots. In 2023, all 20 permanent plots were revisited. Six of these had received treatment in the form of mowing or shrub removal. In addition, 15 temporary plots were analysed. in 2023, the dataset contained 35 plots. In 2024, all permanent plots were revisited and a simplified vegetation analysis performed.