Introduction
Resource extraction through mining, lumbering, and quarry operations
contribute to the economic lifeblood of many countries in Sub-Sahara
Africa. Quarry operations are a major source of livelihood in the Mowire
community, with a growing demand for limestone has led to the
establishment of different scales of quarry companies in the district.
Quarry operations have serious environmental impact on invertebrate
communities and contribute negatively to habitat destruction and the
species they promote. (Lameed, 2010). One of the greatest adverse
environmental effect of quarry operation is the loss of species
diversity (Anand, 2006). Insect biodiversity tends to provide clearer
outcomes on ecological consequences of human-induced disturbance
(Husseini, Abubakar, & Nasare, 2019). Arthropods are useful bio
indicators of environmental modifications caused by anthropogenic
disturbance such as pollution, habitat fragmentation, loss of habitat
and early warnings of ecological change. Butterflies provide information
on the health of ecosystem through species presence-absence and
abundance data, hence they are used as bio indicator to monitor changes
in habitat condition in the environment (Weisser & Siemann, 2008). The
level of land degradation caused by stone quarry in Ghana has put forth
questions as to whether or not the activity should be allowed to
continue (Nartey, Nanor, & Klake, 2012). Changes in landscape affect
invertebrates more significantly and rapidly compared to other taxa. One
of the greatest adverse environmental effect of quarry operations is the
harm to biodiversity (Eta, Idiku, & Dan, 2019). Diversity and abundance
of butterfly species can be used to assess the impact of anthropogenic
activities on landscape changes, rapid biodiversity assessment,
monitoring degraded land and managed ecosystem (Gandhi, Patel, &
Padate, 2017). This study provides a baseline survey of butterfly
abundance, diversity and species richness between three zones on the
Mowire quarry site. Specifically the study sought to: i) to use
butterflies as indicator species to assess the relationship between
quarry operations and insect diversity in the quarry operational area. :
ii) to assess the relationship between quarry operations and butterfly
diversity and abundance between three zones of the quarry site. The
Mowire Quarry site is perfect for carrying out this study due to the
continuous quarry operations in the area and the large concession it
holds.