A Comparison of Grid and Index-Line Trapping Methods for Small Mammal Surveys

Abstract

An investigation is made of trapping methods used to survey small mammal communities in Australia. Assessment is made of sampling configuration and intensity by comparing combinations of those variables at a field site on Blundells Creek in the Brindabella Range, A.C.T. Indices of diversity were used to analyse capture data. These show that capture data from traps set in a grid configuration are highly sensitive to sampling intensity and are unlikely to represent the true community diversity. In contrast, capture data from traps set along index-lines are relatively immune to sampling intensity differences and closely measure true community diversity.