Spider diversity over time at Hogarth Plantation using pitfall traps

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Date
2021Author
Harrison, Jess P.
Subject
AraneaeBiodiversity
Bioindicators
Boreal forest
Forest ecosystem
Spiders (Araneae) taxonomy and systematics
Pitfall trap
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Biodiversity assessments are conducted using various methods featuring diverse
assemblages of biota and whose results have seemingly endless important applications. In this
assessment pitfall traps were used to research diversity of spider families over time for a boreal
forest ecosite in northwestern Ontario. Applications of the resulting data discussed include
delineating ecoregions, evaluating sampling techniques, assessing sustainability of forest
management practices, and furthering taxonomic and systematic research. Lab identification
methodologies were used to catalogue individual spiders collected during the study period into
their associated families. The resulting family compositions were analyzed and compared to
knowledge on the families biology to assess the significance of the data. From which,
conclusions were formed on the study sites.