Abstract
Estimation of density of ground dwelling arthropods is important for pest monitoring, landscape restoration, biodiversity and conservation. Existing methods require high amount of time and labor. Considering recent catastrophic decline of invertebrates abundance less invasive methods should be developed. In current paper based on individual based simulations I suggest method for density estimation using pitfall traps. Method is based on “dig in effect”, when traps catch more individuals straight after installation then in following days. Simulation results demonstrated that density of abundant species can be estimated by proposed method with acceptable error range. Suggested method is best suitable for fast estimation of density of abundant species (>2 individuals/m2) or higher taxa, in a large homogeneous landscapes. It can be especially useful in biodiversity monitoring programs and for pest density estimation. Method is not suitable for a long term trapping or for estimation of density of low abundance species and surveying small or narrow habitats (ex. Littoral or riparian zone, edges of habitat). Method presented in current publication can be used for standardization of pitfall trapping and comparison of results from different habitats and periods. Method can be further improved by developing more easy and inexpensive ways of sampling and should be evaluated in the field.
Highlights
Estimation of real density of ground dwelling arthropods is important for agricultural purposes, monitoring biodiversity and conservation, especially with recent dramatic decline of insect abundance [1]
Many different methods exist for estimation of densities [4], either they are very time consuming and expensive, or are very invasive, with the recent catastrophic drop of insect populations we should be looking for the methods that allow fast estimation of parameters and has as little effect on population as possible
Where D is real density, N1 is number of animals captured during first half of trapping period, N2 captured within second half of trapping period, K is a ratio of first and second trappings: N1/N2
Summary
Estimation of real density of ground dwelling arthropods is important for agricultural purposes (evaluation of pests and effectiveness of their control measures), monitoring biodiversity and conservation, especially with recent dramatic decline of insect abundance [1]. Pitfall trapping requires relatively little labor to implement, is inexpensive, and can yield high number of specimens for a wide range of taxa. Because of this, it is a widely used method for biodiversity inventories and environmental impact assessment studies which have been rapidly growing in recent decades [8,9,10]. 2. Falling and staying in trap once it is encountered – this is affected by the cover of Giorgi Chaladze: Estimation of Ground Dwelling Arthropod Densities Using Pitfall Traps: Individual Based Simulations traps, by conservative fluids, material of a trap (how slippery it is or if an animal can avoid it) [5]. Method is based on sampling in a subsequent time intervals and comparing change between first and second catch
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