Feasibility study: Reintroduction of the bay checkerspot butterfly to Stanford University lands

Funding Year: 2005

Research Areas: Natural Capital

Regions: North America

Researchers are conducting a broad feasibility study concerning the re-introduction of the Bay checkerspot butterfly to Stanford lands. This butterfly sub-species is federally listed as a threatened species and is restricted to serpentine soils, since the plants that it depends on cannot survive competition with Eurasian grasses on other soil types. The butterfly was the subject of extensive long-term studies at Jasper Ridge by Paul Ehrlich and his group from 1960 to the late 1990s, when it became extinct on the Ridge. The feasibility study is exploring options for the re-introduction.

Learn more about the Environmental Venture Projects grant program and other funded projects.

Principal Investigators:

Paul Ehrlich, Bing Professor of Population Studies, Emeritus

Carol Boggs, Bing Director in Human Biology, Emerita

Scott Fendorf, Terry Huffington Professor, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment

Chris Field, Melvin and Joan Lane Professor for Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies, Director, Woods Institute for the Environment, Professor of Earth System Science, of Biology and Senior Fellow at the Precourt Institute for Energy

Barton Thompson, Robert E. Paradise Professor in Natural Resources Law and Senior Fellow at the Woods Institute for the Environment

Richard White, Margaret Byrne Professor of American History, Emeritus