Transect-based matrix composition assessment (Lycaenidae)

Knowledge graph centered on Transect-based matrix composition assessment (Lycaenidae) with 37 nodes and 145 connections. Top connected: Ipomopsis, Ligusticum porteri, Delphinium, I. aggregata, Ipomopsis aggregata.

Method synopsis

Systematic vegetation sampling along parallel transects between sites to quantify matrix composition and calculate proportional cover of different vegetation types.

Synthesized from method descriptions across 2 papers using this protocol.

Procedure from a recent peer-reviewed implementation

Steps below were extracted from the most recent peer-reviewed implementation of this protocol in the corpus — Females know best: dispersal polymorphism maintained by sex-specific foraging (2025), Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. The protocol was originally introduced by The matrix matters: effective isolation in fragmented landscapes (2001), American Naturalist. Implementations in other papers (listed below) may differ.

1. Matrix composition characterization
   Walked three parallel, equally spaced transects between each pair of butterfly sampling sites. Recorded the type of vegetation cover every 5 m along each transect and used this sample to estimate the percentage composition of matrix routes between sites. Although small aspen stands, creek, and talus slopes were present in the matrix, the vast majority was composed of willow, conifer, or small meadow openings.
   Quantities: 3 transects per site pair, sampling every 5 mDuration: Field seasonConditions: Throughout the study area between sampling sites
   Equipment: field recording materials
2. Site boundary and meadow quality assessment
   Measured the perimeter of each site, categorizing vegetation at boundary as conifer, willow, or meadow. Calculated percentage composition of perimeter in terms of these three types. In 1999, estimated four aspects of meadow quality at each site: vegetation cover and composition, flower density, temperature, and presence/absence of butterfly host plants.
   Quantities: 14 sites measured, 4 permanent transects per site (200 m total length), 1-m² sampling quadrats every 10 mDuration: Beginning, middle, and end of 1999 flight seasonConditions: Throughout growing season
   Equipment: measuring tape, temperature loggers, sampling quadrats

Typical Equipment

• measuring tape
• field recording materials

Output Measurements

• percentage matrix composition
• vegetation cover estimates

Papers Using This Protocol (3)

Species Studied With This Protocol