Due to European settlement during the 20th century, fire regimes were disrupted and the increase in forest regeneration has resulted in a present state of dense, low sweeping canopies of mesic species that create horizontal and vertical fuel complexes that aid in the spread of severe wildfires (Korb et al., 2012).
Specific restoration treatments can alter the microclimate of an environment. Species such as butterflies (order Lepidoptera), can be used as an indicator species to quantify the effects of forest restoration treatments on microclimate changes. Butterflies are an ideal indicator species because they are sensitive to environmental conditions.
Thin/burn forest restoration treatment areas will have the highest butterfly species richness and abundance because increased understory plant productivity and altered warmer micro-climates. In addition, we also hypothesize that butterfly richness and abundance will be highest during the peak of the growing season (July) in all treatments due to peak plant productivity
