Evaluation of sampling methods for macroinvertebrate biodiversity estimation in heavily vegetated ponds

Abstract

This article presents an evaluation of two sampling methods for assessing the biodiversity of heavily vegetated wetlands. The aim was to establish an effective sampling regime to maximise total taxon richness and minimise sampling effort. Three Integrated Constructed Wetland (ICW) systems in Annetown Valley, Co. Waterford, SE of the Republic of Ireland, were sampled during spring and summer 2005. The two methods that were evaluated were pond netting and two types of horizontal activity traps, namely ''horizontal activity traps'' (HATs) and modified ''horizontal activity traps'' (modified HATs). The activity traps provided a one-way funnel system and were constructed from 2 l plastic bottles, allowing for the passive collection of taxa. HATs were designed to capture macroinvertebrates in open water and modified HATs, which were designed specifically for this study, were used to sample within stands of dense emergent vegetation. Results show that a combination of pond netting and activity traps will yield a more complete estimate of taxon richness. The performance of Modified HATs was not significantly different from that of the HATs in dense vegetation. Tests on the sampling effort required for each method are also discussed.

Competitive effects of fish in structurally simple habitats: perch, invertebrates, and goldeneye in small boreal lakes

“…They are well suited for catching mobile invertebrate predators (Hyvönen and Nummi 2000;Becerra Jurado et al 2008), which are the ones especially affected by fish predation (Diehl 1992) and are much used by goldeneye ducklings (McNicol et al 1987b). Glass jars (volume 1-L) equipped with a funnel, diameter 100 mm in the large and 23 mm in the narrow end, were used as traps (Elmberg et al 1992(Elmberg et al , 1993.…”

The ecology of European ponds: defining the characteristics of a neglected freshwater habitat

“…Therefore, standardised methods are required. Becerra et al (2007) present an effective sampling regime to maximise total taxon richness while minimising sampling effort.…”

Sampling macroinvertebrates in a temporary pond: comparing the suitability of two techniques to detect richness, spatial segregation and diel activity

“…Dip-netting can vary their efficiency capturing macroinvertebrates in vegetated or non vegetated zones of the pond (O'Connor et al, 2004;García-Criado & Trigal, 2005;Becerra Jurado et al, 2008). In this study, the main contributing taxa to different pond zones occurred mainly in the deep zone (Physa spp.…”

“…Fyke nets are therefore an important supplementary technique to complement biodiversity monitoring samples obtained through dip-netting, because the combination of techniques yields a more inclusive representation of the fauna (Turner & Trexler, 1997;Hyvönen & Nummi, 2000;Becerra Jurado et al, 2008). As macroinvertebrate sampling is usually conducted during the daytime, the use of fyke nets during prolonged sampling periods (i.e.…”

“…These habitats are especially important for the conservation of rare or specialised taxa of aquatic macroinvertebrates (Collinson et al, 1995;Bilton et al, 2009), which may not survive or complete their life cycles in other types of aquatic habitats. To refine our knowledge of biological communities in temporary ponds, we need to test different sampling techniques for shallow and vegetated ponds (O'Connor et al, 2004;García-Criado & Trigal, 2005;Becerra Jurado et al, 2008).…”