Lovei (1997) Harmonic radar

Lovei, G.L., Stringer, I.A.N., Devine, C.D. and Cartellier, M 1997 Harmonic Radar, a method using inexpensive tags to study invertebrate movement on land. New Zealand Journal of Ecology (1997) 21(2): 187-193 (1 copy)

Effects of aerial size and shape, detection range of several types of diodes, potential and limitations of using harmonic radar are discussed. Examples of tracking short term movement of a beetle and long term movement of a snail. Monitoring method, tracking, behavior

Moller H. Tree Wetas

Moller, H. 1984 Tree wetas (Hemideina crassicruris) (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatidae) of Stephens Island, Cook Strait. New Zealand Journal of Zoology: 1985 Vol 12: 55-69.

·         Talks about two separate island restoration projects with tree weta populations, stephens island and

·         Tuataras important native predator of weta on these island reserves and they probably stop the tree weta from moving to the forest floor. Very well outlined in this article

·         This article is good because it is all about another experiment and goes into several monitoring methods as well as results.  However, it is very old (1984) and some of the claims that Mr. Moller makes have been disproven.  If you use something from this article make sure to fact check it with current information.

Tags: tree weta, monitoring method, food, behavior, habitat type, introduced species, island restoration

Rate, S.R. Does rat control...

Rate, S.R. (2009). Does rat control benefit forest invertebrates at Moehau, Coromandel Peninsula? DOC Research & Development Series 316. Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand.

·         This is a scientific research paper put out by DOC: it looks to monitor if invertebrate populations would react positively to rat eradication on Moehau in the corremandel.

·         The conclusions of this study were that rat control had no effect on the relative abundance, diversity andbody length of pitfall-trapped invertebrates, except for a significant reduction in the numbers of ants (Formicidae).

·         They hypothesize that invertebrates that are susceptible to predation by rats were not adequately sampled, the predatory pest mammals were not reduced to low enough levels to elict a measurable invertebrate response.

·         This goes over several recommendation for the improvement of further studies

Tags: Tree weta, mainland restoration, monitoring method

Watts, C.H., Armstrong, D.P., Innes, J. and Thornburrow, D. 2011 Dramatic increases in weta (Orthoptera) following mammal eradication on Maungatautari – evidence from pitfalls and tracking tunnels. New Zealand Journal of Ecology (2011) 35(3):261-272 (3 copies)

• Monitored weta populations before and after predator eradication in Maungatautari       
• Compared the effectiveness of two different monitoring methods: lethal pitfall traps and footprint tracking tunnels
• Saw an increase in weta post-eradication, as well as an increase in the proportion of adults

 

Trewick, S.A. and Morgan-Richards, M. 2000 Artificial weta roosts: A technique for ecological study and population monitoring of Tree Weta (Hemideina) and other invertebrates. New Zealand Journal of Ecology (2000) 24(2):201-208 (3 copies)

• Studies the effectiveness of using artifical roosts to monitor tree weta populations.

• Artifical roosts appear affective after weta are allowed sufficient time to establish.

 

Watts, C., Stringer, I., Sherley, G., Gibbs, G., & Green, C. (2008). History of weta (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae) translocation in New Zealand: lessons learned, islands as sanctuaries and the future. J Insect Conserv, 12, 359-370. (2 copies)

                         

• A review of weta translocations in NZ. 
• Provides case studies of past successes and failures in weta translocations to both offshore and mainland islands. 
• Also reviews various monitoring and transfer techniques.

Spellerberg, I.: Monitoring ecological change.

Spellerberg, I. (2005). Monitoring ecological change. 2^nd ed. Cambridge. (2005). (3 copies)

Defines census, surveillance, and monitoring. The bulk of the paper is dedicated to discussing monitoring – what it is exactly, priority areas, long-term ecological monitoring, past and future of monitoring, and why it is relevant.