DESIGN FOR A LOW-COST, COVERED, RAMP PITFALL TRAP

2000 ◽  
Vol 132 (3) ◽  
pp. 387-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrice Bouchard ◽  
Terry A. Wheeler ◽  
Henri Goulet
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Pitfall Trap ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Metal Design ◽  
Original Metal

Pitfall traps are used extensively to sample ground-dwelling arthropods for systematic and ecological studies. They are inexpensive and easy to use and can be operated for relatively long periods of time without maintenance. These traps can collect arthropods in numbers that are suitable for rigorous statistical analysis, although their efficiency is influenced by many biotic and abiotic variables (Greenslade 1964; Spence and Niemelä 1994). Typically, pitfall traps are most productive when they are buried in the substrate, with the upper edge flush with the soil surface; traps with their upper edge above the substrate are much less effective (Greenslade 1964). Because of this, studies of ground-dwelling arthropods in habitats where soil is thin or lacking, or where digging is difficult, are left with no satisfactory alternatives to pitfall traps. A ramp pitfall trap developed by Bostanian et al. (1983) is useful in these habitats because it can be placed on the ground surface without digging. However, the original metal design was strongly biased toward the collection of large (>10 mm) ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) (Bostanian et al. 1983); it was also large, bulky, and relatively expensive. In this paper, we describe a ramp pitfall trap that is inexpensive, easily constructed, and durable. The trap is light, portable, easily installed, and effective in collecting all sizes of arthropods and can be used in many habitat types.

Effect of pitfall trap depth on epigaeic beetle sampling (Coleoptera: Carabidae and Staphylinidae) in wet forested ecosites in Alberta, Canada

2018 ◽  
Vol 150 (6) ◽  
pp. 813-820
Author(s):  
H.E. James Hammond ◽  
David W. Langor ◽  
Dustin J. Hartley
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Trap Depth ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Organic Soil ◽  
Pitfall Trap ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Forest Stands ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Deep Traps

AbstractThe depth at which pitfall traps were sunk into the ground and the resulting catches of epigaeic Carabidae (Coleoptera) and Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) assemblages in subhygric to hydric ecosites with very deep organic soil layers was investigated in the upper foothills ecoregion of Alberta, Canada. Traps were installed at seven sites, with six surface traps (the pitfall trap lip <5 cm below soil surface) and six deep traps (the pitfall trap lip >20 cm below soil surface) at each site. A total of 5289 beetles representing 75 taxa were collected. There were no significant effects of trap depth on catch. Rarefaction estimates of species diversity were higher in surface pitfall traps for both taxa. The similarity of pooled catches between deep and surface traps was on average 75%, suggesting that both trap types were collecting similar faunas. We found no advantage to using deep pitfall traps in addition to surface traps to sample the epigaeic fauna of wet forest stands and peatlands.

scholarly journals KEANEKARAGAMAN SERANGGA PERMUKAAN TANAH DI KAWASAN BUKIT GATAN KABUPATEN MUSI RAWAS

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-70
Author(s):  
Dina Setiawati ◽  
Yunita Wardianti ◽  
Mareta Widiya
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Method ◽  
Diversity Index ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Pitfall Trap ◽  
Dominance Index ◽  
Ecological Index ◽  
Hill Area ◽  
Qualitative Descriptive

This study aims to determine the diversity of soil surface insects, in the Bukit Gatan area, Musi Rawas Regency. This research is a qualitative descriptive study using a pitfall trap and using a random sampling method. The results showed that the types of ground surface insects contained 3 orders, 5 families and 10 species.The results of the analysis of the ecological index of soil surface insects in the Gatan hill area, Musi Rawas Regency, namely the diversity index (H') 1.241 in the low category, Evennes index (E') 0.64 in the medium category, and the dominance index (C)0.277 in the medium category.The abiotic factors in the Bukit Gatan area, Musi Rawas Regency at the research site are the average air temperature 29℃, average soil pH 6.5, and average soil moisture 85.3%.Diversity of soil surface insects in the Bukit Gatan area, Musi Rawas Regency is in the low category.

Batch extraction of morphological and color metrics from invertebrate samples. v1

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D Weiser ◽  
Katie E. Marshall ◽  
Cameron D. Siler ◽  
Michael Kaspari
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
North America ◽  
Pitfall Trap ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Batch Extraction ◽  
Continental Scale ◽  
Color Data ◽  
By Catch

This protocol is the complete methods used to extract abundance, morphology and color data from samples of invertebrates. We developed this protocol specifically to measure invertebrate by-catch from pitfall traps collected by the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), but these methods could be extended to any invertebrate samples. These methods were used in the publications: Blair, J.,M.D. Weiser, M. Kaspari, M.J. Miller, C. Siler and K. Marshall. 2020. Robust and simplified machine learning identification of pitfall trap-collected ground beetles at the continental scale. Ecology and Evolution 10(23): 13143-13153. DOI:10.1002/ece3.6905. Weiser, M.D., K.E. Marshall, M.J. Miller, C.D. Siler, S.N. Smith & M. Kaspari. in review at Oikos (October 2021). Robust metagenomic evidence that local assemblage richness increases with latitude in ground-active invertebrates of North America.

SAMPLING CARABID ASSEMBLAGES WITH PITFALL TRAPS: THE MADNESS AND THE METHOD

1994 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 881-894 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Spence ◽  
Jari K. Niemelä
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Pitfall Trapping

AbstractWe describe a litter-washing technique for collecting quantitative samples of ground-beetles (Carabidae), and compare the results with those from liner extraction by Tullgren funnels and pitfall (rapping. We also compare performance of four types of pitfall traps across five habitats. Carabid species composition from litter washing and funnel extraction was similar but washing revealed higher densities. Large-bodied species predominated in pitfall samples and small-bodied species predominated in litter samples. Uncovered, round pitfall traps yielded generally higher catches than rectangular or covered, round traps but the pattern was not consistent over all species or the five habitats. Ecological studies of carabid populations and assemblages using pitfall traps may be improved if they are both designed and interpreted in light of the biology of the group and with regard to the deficiencies of pitfall trapping as discussed here and elsewhere.

scholarly journals Can Baited Pitfall Traps for Sampling Dung Beetles Replace Conventional Traps for Sampling Ants?

Sociobiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 376
Author(s):  
Kelley Rita Przybyszewski ◽  
Ricardo José Silva ◽  
Ricardo Eduardo Vicente ◽  
João Victor Garcia Freitas ◽  
Mônica Josene Barbosa Pereira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Pitfall Trap ◽  
Dung Beetles ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Small Decrease ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Native Habitat ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Total Species

Ants  and  dung  beetles  are  widely  used  in  monitoring  biodiversity  and  are  considered  excellent  environmental  indicators.  Although  the pitfall trap is the most commonly used method to sample dung beetles and ants in ecological studies, beetles are usually sampled using dung‐baited pitfall traps while ants are sampled using un‐baited pitfalls. In the protocol for collecting the beetles it is necessary to have attractive baits in pitfalls. In order to minimize collection effort and costs and to facilitate logistics, it is necessary to determine if there is an effect of the baits on the biodiversity of ants collected in the same traps. Therefore, the objective of this work was to find out whether baited pitfalls could replace conventional pitfalls for the capture of ants. In a total of 42 areas of native habitat, three baited pitfall traps and three without bait were installed, all in the same transect, equidistant ten meters and in activity for 48 hours. In total, 150 species were collected, of which 131 were recorded in non‐baited pitfalls and 107 in baited pitfalls. Traps without bait contributed to 28% of the total number of species captured in this study, whereas pitfalls with bait contributed only to 12% of the total species caught. However, 60% of the total species were captured regardless of the method. In addition to the loss of species among the types of traps, the effect of the method modifies the species composition. We concluded that depending on the type of study, a small decrease in the number of species and change in the composition can influence the results. Thus, we recommend that baited pitfalls should not replace conventional pitfalls.Palavras-chave: Método de coleta; Protocolo de coleta; Desenho da amostra; Esforço de amostragem.

scholarly journals Accessing the subterranean ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in native and modified subtropical landscapes in the Neotropics

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mila Ferraz de Oliveira Martins ◽  
Marcílio José Thomazini ◽  
Dilmar Baretta ◽  
George Gardner Brown ◽  
Marcio Gonçalves da Rosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soil Depth ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Pitfall Trap ◽  
Tropical Soil ◽  
Soil Sampling ◽  
Soil Biology ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Soil Extraction ◽  
Ant Assemblages ◽  
Specific Community

Abstract: Several studies have characterized and delimited subterranean ant assemblages. Soil extraction, one of the methods employed to access this fauna, employs the removal of monoliths. One of the most widely used methods for the extraction of soil sampling is called TSBF (developed by the Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Programme). This method provides relevant data about the species associated with the soil. In the present study we characterized assemblages of subterranean ants using the TSBF method in different subtropical areas of the Neotropics. We considered two sampling designs in different localities. The first design resulted in 315 TSBF samples obtained from layers at distinct depths. The second design resulted in 270 TSBF samples and 270 epigaeic pitfall trap samples. This material was used to delimit the species that occur exclusively in the subterranean stratum (TSBF) and that are not found on the soil surface. A total of 281 species were recorded. Of these, 57 can be considered subterranean, based on their occurrence in subterranean strata. We also verified that the highest occurrence of ants was in the first 10 cm of soil depth. Due to the importance of using methods that efficiently extract the subterranean ant fauna in studies, we suggest the TSBF method should be used to sample ants or to associate this method with epigaeic pitfall traps to delimit strictly subterranean assemblages in specific community stratification studies.

DISPERSAL OF GROUND BEETLES (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE) ON SOIL SURFACE

1965 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Rivard
Keyword(s):  
Ground Beetle ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Ground Beetles ◽  
Cereal Crops ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Beetle Species ◽  
Dispersal Rate ◽  
Pterostichus Melanarius

Marked adults and pitfall traps were used to study the dispersal on soil surface of four ground beetle species. Compared recaptures of Pterostichus melanarius Ill. and Harpalus erraticus Say released into two different plots indicated that carabids disperse more rapidly in cultivated than in cereal crops and that males of both species are usually more active than females. No difference, however, in the activity and dispersal rate could be established between sexes for H. compar Lec. and H. pennsylvanicus DeG. Each of the three following species tended to disperse in a different direction: P. melanarius toward the southwest, H. compar toward the northwest, and H. pennsylvanicus toward the northeast. The relatively high proportion of recoveries suggests also considerable wandering movements of the beetles inside the plots.

scholarly journals Pitfall trap efficiency: do trap size, collecting fluid and vegetation structure matter?

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matti Koivula ◽  
Johan Kotze ◽  
Laura Hiisivuori ◽  
Hannu Rita
Keyword(s):  
Propylene Glycol ◽  
Salt Water ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Pitfall Trap ◽  
Carabid Beetles ◽  
Pitfall Traps ◽  
Pitfall Trapping ◽  
Habitat Types ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Trap Size

Apart from experimental design, the selection of pitfall trap size, collecting fluid and habitat type sampled may also influence the capture efficiency of the method. We combined three field studies from two very different geographic areas, in which the efficiency of pitfall traps, using carabid beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae), is evaluated. First, we showed that ethylene-glycol is a more efficient collecting fluid compared to commercial anti-freeze, paraffin and salt water in collecting beetles in a forest patch in South Africa. Second, we showed that larger traps (90 mm mouth diameter) are more efficient in collecting carabids than small traps (65 mm) in a meadow in Finland. We also showed that for these large traps, commercial vinegar was a better collecting fluid than propylene-glycol, but that for small traps, propylene-glycol was superior to vinegar in collecting carabids. Finally, we showed that the trappability of Pterostichus oblongopunctatus and Carabus hortensis differed in enclosures placed into two different habitat types (a forest and a clear-cut in Finland), while trappability did not differ significantly for two other species (Calathus micropterus and Pterostichus niger) in these habitat types. However, for the two Pterostichus species studied, the catches in traps placed in the centre of the enclosures were slightly higher in the clear-cut, compared to the forest, and catches were higher in enclosures with rich field-layer vegetation, compared to enclosures with poor vegetation. The three studies re-emphasise the uncertainties of using pitfall traps in ecological studies. However, with careful planning and standardisation to help avoid erroneous interpretations, pitfall trapping is an invaluable method for the field ecologist.

scholarly journals Kinetics and isotherm modeling of Pb(II) and Cd(II) sequestration from polluted water onto tropical ultisol obtained from Enugu Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa C. Umeh ◽  
John K. Nduka ◽  
Kovo G. Akpomie
Keyword(s):  
Metal Ions ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Water Environment ◽  
Standard Technique ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Polluted Water ◽  
Batch Adsorption ◽  
Lead And Cadmium ◽  
Pseudo Second Order

AbstractDeterioration in soil–water environment severely contributed by heavy metal bioavailability and mobility on soil surface and sub-surface due to irrational increase in wastewater discharge and agrochemical activities. Therefore, the feasibility of adsorption characteristics of the soil is paramount in curbing the problem of micropollutant contamination in the farming vicinity. Soil from a farming site in a populated area in Enugu, Nigeria was collected and tested to measure the lead and cadmium contents using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The adsorption potency of the ultisol soil was estimated for identifiable physicochemical properties by standard technique. The mean activity concentration of Pb2+ and Cd2+ was 15.68 mg/kg and 3.01 mg/kg. The pH, temperature, metal concentration and contact time adsorptive effect on the Pb2+ and Cd2+ uptake was evaluated by batch adsorption technique. The Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin models were fitted into equilibrium adsorption data and the calculated results depict a better and satisfactory correlation for Langmuir with higher linear regression coefficients (Pb2+, 0.935 and Cd2+, 0.971). On the basis of sorption capacity mechanism of the soil, pseudo-second-order model best described the kinetics of both metal ions retention process. The results of the present study indicated that the soil being a low cost-effective adsorbent can be utilized to minimize the environmental risk impact of these metal ions.

scholarly journals Monitoring of Khorasan (Triticum turgidum ssp. turanicum) and Modern Kabot Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum) Varieties by UAV and Sensor Technologies under Different Soil Tillage

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1348
Author(s):  
Kristýna Balážová ◽  
Jan Chyba ◽  
Jitka Kumhálová ◽  
Jiří Mašek ◽  
Stanislav Petrásek
Keyword(s):  
Triticum Aestivum ◽  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Triticum Turgidum ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Wheat Variety ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Soil Tillage ◽  
Thermal Cameras

Khorasan wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. turanicum (Jakubz.)) is an ancient tetraploid spring wheat variety originating from northeast parts of Central Asia. This variety can serve as a full-fledged alternative to modern wheat but has a lower yield than modern varieties. It is commonly known that wheat growth is influenced by soil tillage technology (among other things). However, it is not known how soil tillage technology affects ancient varieties. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of different soil tillage technologies on the growth of the ancient Khorasan wheat variety in comparison to the modern Kabot spring wheat (Triticum aestivum) variety. The trial was arranged in six small plots, one half of which was sown by the Khorasan wheat variety and the other half of which was sown by the Kabot wheat variety. Three soil tillage methods were used for each cultivar: conventional tillage (CT) (20–25 cm), minimum tillage (MTC) with a coulter cultivator (15 cm), and minimization tillage (MTD) with a disc cultivator (12 cm). The soil surface of all of the variants were leveled after tillage (harrows & levelling bars). An unmanned aerial vehicle with multispectral and thermal cameras was used to monitor growth during the vegetation season. The flight missions were supplemented by measurements using the GreenSeeker hand-held sensor and plant and soil analysis. The results showed that the Khorasan ancient wheat was better suited the conditions of conventional tillage, with low values of bulk density and highvalues of total soil porosity, which generally increased the nutritional value of the yield in this experimental plot. At the same time, it was found that this ancient wheat does not deplete the soil. The results also showed that the trend of developmental growing curves derived from different sensors was very similar regardless of measurement method. The sensors used in this study can be good indicators of micronutrient content in the plant as well as in the grains. A low-cost RGB camera can provide relevant results, especially in cases where equipment that is more accurate is not available.

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