»Caught between two fires« - the story of the false ringlet

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We invite you to the next biological evening, organized by the University of Primorska as part of the project Kras4us, entitled:

»Caught between two fires« - the story of the false ringlet (Coenonympha oedippus) (dr. Sara Zupan, UP Famnit)

Wednesday, April 15 at 19:00, Zoom link: https://upr-si.zoom.us/j/68378129561

About the lecture:

What happens to a species when the grasslands where it lives are slowly disappearing?
The false ringlet (Coenonympha oedippus) is one of the most endangered butterfly species in Slovenia, closely tied to open grassland habitats. In Slovenian Istria, it faces encroachment primarily due to the abandonment of traditional land use, while populations in the Karst were further affected by the extensive fires of 2022.
The presentation will cover the demography and movement of part of the population along the upper reaches of the Dragonja River, as well as the role of vegetation in shaping its habitat. Special emphasis will be placed on comparing habitats in the Dragonja Valley and the Karst region following the fires, where conditions for the species have changed significantly. The results show marked gender differences in demographics and movement, as well as limited dispersal capacity in a landscape characterized by the encroachment of grasslands. This underscores the crucial role of active management and ensuring habitat connectivity for the long-term conservation of the species.

About the speaker:

Sara Zupan is a biologist who has always been fascinated by nature and its diversity. Today, as a researcher and lecturer at the University of Primorska, she studies how a changing environment shapes species adaptations; she is interested in the story from the gene to entire ecosystems. She has dedicated a significant part of her research to species of conservation importance, including the endangered false ringlet butterfly, through which she reveals complex stories of species survival under various pressures. She has participated in numerous international projects, and her work combines field research, laboratory analysis, and modern data processing techniques. She also enjoys sharing her passion for biology by mentoring students, engaging with the general public, and having casual conversations over coffee.