Spatial sampling to detect slug abundance in an arable field |
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Authors: | GABRIELLE A ARCHARD DAVID A BOHAN LOUISE HUGHES CHRISTOPHER W WILTSHIRE |
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Affiliation: | School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Woodland Road, Bristol, BS8 1UG, UK;Rothamsted Research, Division of Plant and Invertebrate Ecology, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 2JQ, UK;Long Ashton Research Station, Division of Plant and Invertebrate Ecology, University of Bristol, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9AF, UK |
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Abstract: | Overuse of molluscicides by farmers in arable systems can lead to environmental and product contamination. Here we assess a simple and inexpensive surface trapping method for monitoring populations of slugs (Deroceras reticulatum and Arion intermedius). This method was biased against small slugs, and against A. intermedius, when compared to direct soil sampling. Regression was used to model the relationship between the results of surface trapping and soil sampling methods. Spatial Analysis by Distance IndicEs (SADIE) algorithms were used to describe the spatial relationships between the two sets of samples. Using both traditional statistical methods and spatial statistics, the spatial information collected from surface traps was sufficient to identify patches and gaps in slug numbers and possibly to allow the spot application of slug control, and thus provide land managers who experience slug damage with a way of reducing molluscicides use, whilst maintaining slug control. Further improvements and applications of the model are discussed. |
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Keywords: | Deroceras reticulatum Arion intermedius spatial sampling SADIE soil sampling surface trapping |
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