Butterfly Square

Pattern Scale: Site

Description of the Pattern:

Edinburgh’s Square Metre for Butterflies aims to provide habitat for the Northern Brown Argus, a butterfly that is listed as a priority species in the United Kingdom. The Northern Brown Argus was believed to have gone extinct, but was rediscovered in 2005 near Holyrood Palace and Arthur’s Seat. In order to nurture and support the butterfly population, the Square Metre for Butterflies aims to expand the butterfly habitat beyond Arthur’s Seat into the heart of Edinburgh. As a collaborative project with the Royal Botanic Gardens and The Butterfly Conservation, the Square Metre for Butterflies encourages businesses and organizations to convert their rooftops into green roofs that support this butterfly population.

Several buildings surrounding Arthur’s Seat and Holyrood Palace – including the Scottish Parliament building - have created green roofs with rock roses, a plant species that attracts the Northern Brown Argus. Combined with other wildflowers, these green roofs support multiple butterfly species, not just the Northern Brown Argus. In addition, the project has highlighted the role that biodiversity plays in supporting the local ecosystem. The Butterfly Conservancy hopes to expand the project throughout the city to create a connected system of green roofs.

More about this pattern:

Edinburgh Living Landscapes. Square Metre for Butterflies: A network of green roofs to support Edinburgh’s urban pollinators.

Bringing butterflies on green roofs right to the heart of Scotland. livingroofs.org.

Who Submitted this Pattern:  Emily Thomas