We used the geographic information system (GIS) to investigate the diversity and abundance of butterflies in relation to aspects and slopes of lands, abundance of nectar plants and host plants, and disturbance of human activities in the Nan-San River Basin. The results showed that the butterflies preferred to the south aspect and the slopes at 11-20° The species diversity and abundance were correlated significantly, positively with canopy covers, elevations, and distances to the rural areas (p<0.0l), but negatively with road types (p<0.0l). There was no significant correlation between the diversity and abundance of the butterflies and the abundance of their nectar-plants and host-plants (p>0.05). The above results suggest that human disturbance was the most damaging factor and should be the primary concern in conservation of the butterflies in the basin.
We used the geographic information system (GIS) to investigate the diversity and abundance of butterflies in relation to aspects and slopes of lands, abundance of nectar plants and host plants, and disturbance of human activities in the Nan-San River Basin. The results showed that the butterflies preferred to the south aspect and the slopes at 11-20° The species diversity and abundance were correlated significantly, positively with canopy covers, elevations, and distances to the rural areas (p<0.0l), but negatively with road types (p<0.0l). There was no significant correlation between the diversity and abundance of the butterflies and the abundance of their nectar-plants and host-plants (p>0.05). The above results suggest that human disturbance was the most damaging factor and should be the primary concern in conservation of the butterflies in the basin.