How to find them all: a standardised approach to comprehensive terrestrial arthropod sampling

How best to rapidly assess the diversity of terrestrial arthropod communities has attracted considerable debate. In particular, what sampling methods should be combined to capture maximum species richness and sampling efficiency in surveys of arthropods. We tested the efficiency and complementarity of a standardised combination of six commonly used sampling methods (Malaise trap, flight intercept trap, pan trap, pitfall trap, Berlese funnel, and sweep net) at 13 locations across Canada. About 55% of species were collected by only one method; Malaise traps, sweep nets, and flight intercept traps contributed the highest diversity. We suggest the combined use of these collecting methods, possibly extended by other methods, for studies that seek to survey the canopy and soil fauna.