Standardising terrestrial invertebrate biomonitoring techniques across natural and agricultural systems

Abstract

Invertebrate biomonitoring is often cited as a means to assess ecological sustainability. This paper surveys the use of sampling techniques to assess invertebrate abundance and diversity within natural and agricultural systems. Results found that fewer sampling techniques were used in natural systems, with the emphasis being placed on pitfall traps, than in agricultural systems, where multiple techniques and a wide range of techniques were used to document the abundance and distribution of invertebrates. A detailed examination of pitfall trap techniques demonstrated inconsistencies in use, leading to recommendations for standardised sampling regimes to document bioindicators in natural and agricultural systems.