Seasonality of pitfall trapped invertebrates in three types of native forest, Orongorongo Valley, New Zealand

Abstract

Abstract The abundance and seasonality of invertebrates were studied in 3 forest communities near Wellington, New Zealand by pitfall trapping at equal intensity for 14 months. Of 238 species trapped (93 461 individuals), 172 (50 204) occurred in mixed broadleaf‐podocarp, 98 (23 072) in hard beech ( Nothofagus truncata ), and 107 (20 185) in silver beech ( Nothofagus menziesii ) forest. The composition of the invertebrate fauna differed amongst forest communities. Although many invertebrates were active throughout the year, significantly more were caught in autumn, and fewest in winter. The temporal distribution of several species was correlated positively with temperature, but very few species showed a correlation with rainfall. More species and individuals occurred in the more botanically diverse broadleaf‐podocarp forest than in the beech forests. Species composition was more diverse in the lowland broadleaf‐podocarp forest than in the high‐altitude silver beech forest.