SNH Invertebrate Site Condition Monitoring 2015-16: Den of Airlie SSSI
Caledonian Conservation
Description
This dataset was gathered as part of a Scottish Natural Heritage contract in 2015-16. It provides the results of invertebrate surveys designed to inform Site Condition Monitoring at Den of Airlie SSSI. These surveys targeted the notified invertebrate assemblage feature (Malacolimax tenellus and Lipsothrix errans), but surveys for other invertebrate taxa were also undertaken.
Geographic Description
Den of Airlie SSSI
Purpose
The surveys aimed to detect the presence of the notified invertebrate assemblage feature (Malacolimax tenellus and Lipsothrix errans) of Den of Airlie SSSI in order to inform the site condition assessment.
Data quality
We have a very high level of confidence in this dataset. The recorder and/or determiner is a highly experienced ecologist. Where necessary, rare specimens were compared against reference collections, those held in the National Museums Scotland collection and identities confirmed with experts.
Methods
Surveys targeted the invertebrate assemblage feature of Den of Airlie SSSI.; however, sampling of other terrestrial invertebrate species was also undertaken.
Surveys for Mollusca were undertaken on 20/09/2015 and 12/11/2015 and involved two full-day walkovers along the scarp top and river bank on the east side of the river Isla. Active searches were carried out at frequent stops for the target species Malacolimax tenellus. Search areas focused on deciduous trees, stumps, logs, litter and fungi because of the species association with fungi. All specimens of M. tenellus were photographed, and the locations recorded with a GPS. All other mollusc species identified were assigned a GPS grid reference. A single 1 L bulk litter sample was taken on 20 September 2015 from a steep bank of oak and beech woodland (NO295519). The sample was air-dried, sieved, and examined under low-power microscopy to extract mollusc shells.
Surveys for Diptera species were completed on 06/08/2015 by using aerial netting throughout the reserve (NO292522), concentrating on nectar and pollen sources. The aerial net had a gape of approximately 0.5 m in diameter and was attached to a 3-m long pole. Netted specimens were collected with a pooter for identification. In targeting Lipsothrix errans, sweeping was concentrated over woodland streams with large amounts of partially submerged deadwood.
Sampling of other terrestrial invertebrates was undertaken using a combination of bark traps, active searching beneath loose bark and bugvac. Bugvac sampling was undertaken on 06/08/2015.Bark traps were set in trees on 18/05/2015 and collected on 06/08/2015. A single bark trap was set in ten locations. Each trap consisted of two layers of plastic bubble wrap (40 x 40 cm), with bubbles facing each other so as to provide artificial a^??barka^?? habitat. Dark plastic was used to cover the traps to keep out light, and they were wrapped around a tree with wire at 1.5 m height. Traps were then left in situ for several weeks to allow invertebrates to colonise this new habitat. Afterwards invertebrates between the traps and tree bark and between the bubble wrap layers were collected and the traps removed.
Citation
Caledonian Conservation ([Insert download year]). SNH Invertebrate Site Condition Monitoring 2015-16: Den of Airlie SSSI. Occurrence dataset on the NBN Atlas
Rights
CC-BY
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