5 - Invertebrates
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 September 2012
Summary
Introduction
As with other groups, the most important thing when censusing invertebrates is knowing why you are doing it and how you intend to analyse and use the results. The commonest reasons for censusing invertebrates are to
evaluate the importance of a particular area for them and, in doing so, identify how the invertebrate fauna can be best conserved;
monitor changes in the abundance and assemblages of species; and
investigate the abundance of invertebrates as prey for other species, often birds.
Different aims require different approaches. The main requirement for evaluation surveys is that most or all habitats and micro-habitats thought likely to be important to invertebrates at a site are sampled. Evaluation surveys usually concentrate on searching specific habitats and micro-habitats considered important for species of high conservation value. They often use a range of complementary techniques to maximise the range of species recorded. Ideally, such surveys should be standardised as far as possible, although this can be difficult in practice, particularly if a large proportion of the surveyor's time is spent actively searching various habitats and micro-habitats at a site. At least the date, time spent surveying the site and weather conditions should be recorded. Several visits at various times throughout the active periods of the respective groups will usually be needed in order to obtain a reasonable impression of the importance of the site.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Ecological Census TechniquesA Handbook, pp. 214 - 249Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2006
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