The influence of trap density and sampling duration on the detection of small mammal species richness |
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Authors: | Jonathan M Conard Jeremy A Baumgardt Philip S Gipson Donald P Althoff |
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Institution: | 1. U.S. Geological Survey, Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Division of Biology, Kansas State University, 116 Ackert Hall, 66506, Manhattan, KS, USA 2. College of Natural Resources, University of Idaho, 83844, Moscow, ID, USA
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Abstract: | Assessing species richness of small mammal communities is an important research objective for many live-trapping studies designed
to assess or monitor biological diversity. We tested the effectiveness and efficiency of various trap densities for determining
estimates and counts of small mammal species richness. Trapping was conducted in grassland habitats in northeastern Kansas
during spring and fall of 2002 and 2003. Estimates and counts of species richness were higher at increased trap densities.
This effect appeared to be primarily due to the higher number of individuals sampled at higher trap densities. At least 3
nights duration was needed to produce a stable estimate of species richness for the range of trap densities tested (9–144
trap stations/ha). Higher trap densities generally reached stable richness estimates in fewer nights than low density trapping
arrangements. Given that counts and estimates of species richness were influenced by trap density and sampling duration, it
is critical that these parameters are selected to most effectively meet research objectives. |
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