Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program:
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Sarah came to the Maine Unit in September 2008. She is from Tuscaloosa, AL and her interests include Wetland Ecology, Botany, Hiking, Running, Reading, and Printmaking.. I am studying the ecology and habitat requirements of shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora floribunda), the sole host plant of the state endangered Clayton's copper butterfly (Lycaena dorcas claytoni). Little is known about environmental characteristics that affect the distribution and population ecology of this plant, which occurs in circumneutral fens in Maine. I will be studying characteristics of shrubby cinquefoil and the fen habitat at sites occupied by Clayton's copper, as well as at sites that are unoccupied by the butterfly, but are apparently suitable for the host plant. The ultimate goal of this study is to better understand the ecology of the host plant in order to develop habitat management recommendations for the benefit of Clayton's copper butterfly.