Eur. J. Entomol. 115: 150-156, 2018 | DOI: 10.14411/eje.2018.014

Efficiency of two methods of sampling used to assess the abundance and species diversity of adult Syrphidae (Diptera) in mountainous meadows in the Austrian and Swiss AlpsOriginal article

Raja I. HUSSAIN1, Ronnie WALCHER1, David BRANDL1, Arne ARNBERGER2, Johann G. ZALLER1, Thomas FRANK1
1 University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, Institute of Zoology, Vienna, Austria; e-mails: raja.hussain@boku.ac.at, ronnie.walcher@gmx.at, davidbrandl81@gmail.com, johann.zaller@boku.ac.at, thomas.frank@boku.ac.at
2 University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Institute of Landscape Developments, Recreation and Conservation Planning (ILEN), Vienna, Austria; e-mail: arne.arnberger@boku.ac.at

The outcome of assessments of the biodiversity of a taxonomic group often depend on the sampling method. The choice of an adequate method is especially important for biomonitoring purposes. In this study, the effectiveness of two methods of sampling syrphids (Diptera: Syrphidae) is compared: observation plot method vs. line transect, both sampled by sweep netting. Altogether, 18 meadows were selected in three mountain regions in the Austrian and Swiss Alps. We recorded a significantly higher abundance and richness of syrphids using the observation plot method than the line transect method in 2015. Comparing data for one region recorded in 2015 and 2016, similar results were obtained. Syrphid species assemblages were affected by sampling method in both years. More syrphid species and individuals were recorded using the observation plot method, which makes it more suitable for studies aiming at comparing differences in the numbers of adult syrphids in different grassland habitats.

Keywords: Diptera, Syrphidae, hoverflies, sampling methods, observation-plot, line-transect, alpine grassland

Received: January 13, 2018; Revised: March 28, 2018; Accepted: March 28, 2018; Published online: April 9, 2018  Show citation

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HUSSAIN, R.I., WALCHER, R., BRANDL, D., ARNBERGER, A., ZALLER, J.G., & FRANK, T. (2018). Efficiency of two methods of sampling used to assess the abundance and species diversity of adult Syrphidae (Diptera) in mountainous meadows in the Austrian and Swiss Alps. EJE, 115, Article 150-156. https://doi.org/10.14411/eje.2018.014
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