Abstract
Over 34,000 ground-dwelling apterous arthropods were removed from fenced enclosures in a Mojave Desert site. Estimated total productivity exceeded 2 kg (dry weight) per ha in 1976. Saprophagous forms made up 45% of this biomass, whereas predators and phytophages comprised 32 and 23%. respectively. Of the estimated 295,000 active individuals per ha, 45% were phytophagous, 33% saprophagous, and 13% predaceous. Removal plot pitfall trapping permits the determination of the “minimal active density” as a reliable measurement of these populations comparable to mark recapture estimates. These data are presented for the major species monthly and annually.
Published Version
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