Arthropod Diversity

This is our group project focused on investigating how plant density affects arthropod biodiversity in various environments. We were curious about how differences in vegetation density might influence the number and types of insects present in an area. While collecting data at multiple sites, we noticed that some locations with more dense plant growth had noticeably more insect activity, which led us to explore this relationship in more detail.

The main goal of our project was to determine whether areas with higher plant density support greater insect biodiversity, and if so, why. Understanding this connection is important because arthropods play essential roles in ecosystems, including pollination, decomposition, and serving as food sources for other wildlife. We also wanted to examine how both biotic factors (like vegetation) and abiotic factors (such as rocks or logs) contribute to creating a habitat that supports a wide range of arthropods. By studying these relationships, we hope to gain insight into how plant-insect interactions shape ecosystem health and function.

We conducted our research at five primary locations: North Park Village Nature Center, Eugene Park, Stone Pond, Walking Stick Woods, and Big Marsh. Each site included multiple sampling zones selected based on varying levels of plant density, allowing us to directly compare arthropod biodiversity between more vegetated and less vegetated areas.

To collect arthropod data, we used two primary methods: sweep netting and pitfall trapping. Sweep nets were used to capture insects present in the vegetation, particularly those flying, crawling on plants, or resting on leaves. These sweeps were standardized in effort and conducted in both high-density and low-density plant zones at each site. Pitfall traps, on the other hand, were used to sample ground-dwelling arthropods like ants, beetles, and spiders. Traps were placed in the soil and left in place for a consistent period of time. 

While collecting insects, we also recorded key environmental observations, including weather conditions, density/type of vegetation, and the presence of abiotic features such as rocks, logs, or human development. By integrating both biotic and abiotic habitat characteristics with arthropod survey data, we aimed to better understand how habitat structure influences insect diversity.