Invertebrates

Monitoring and identification of numerous groups, e.g. soil organisms (Lumbricidae, Soil mites, Collembola), insect (Odonata, Orthoptera, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Coleoptera), molluscs and spiders is part of the portfolio of our studies supporting biodiversity enhancement, restoration and the overall ecosystem health. This includes monitoring of species relevant to project mitigation measures listed in Annexes I, II, IV of the FFH Habitats Directive and national or local red list species.

      Our methodologies:

• Census Techniques: Passive (long term) sampling: Malaise traps, pit-fall traps, sticky traps, pan traps, cross shaped window traps/ window pane, trunk and ground-eclectors, light traps. Active (regular) assessments: sweet-net catches, beat tray catches, vacuum sampling, standardised transect survey (song-recording, isolation squares), point counts, car netting, capture and recapture baited live trapping, litter sifter sampling, presence-absence mapping, electrical earth worm sampling
• Breeding and Reproductive Biology: capture and recapture trapping, nesting captives sampling, emergence trapping, exuviae sampling (dragonfly, mayfly).
• Movement Patterns and Survival Estimation: Individual disperse patter analysis by radio-telemetry, individual marking, enclosure and isolation experiments, origin identification through DNA analyses.
• Habitat Assessment and Preferences: Enclosure experiments, species composition and abundance in relation to (micro-) habitat type and structure, literature survey.