DefinePK

Abstract

Accurate monitoring of grasshopper populations is vital for understanding ecosystem health and for the formulation of conservation strategies. This research compares the efficacy of three sampling techniques such as Box Quadrat, Open Quadrat, and Transect for assessing grasshopper diversity and abundance in the grasslands of Sindh Agriculture University, TandoJam, Pakistan, over a period from May to September 2023. A total area of 40m² was surveyed using each method to evaluate their effectiveness in capturing species richness and population density. These results reveal that the method is superior in terms of capturing species diversity, identifying 25% more species compared to the Box Quadrat and 15% more than the Open Quadrat. The Transect method also demonstrated the highest statistical significance in estimating population density, with a 20% lower coefficient of variation compared to the other methods. In contrast, the Box Quadrat method showing good precision in density estimates, identified four species overall, indicating a trade-off between precision and speciesdiversity. The Open Quadrat method, with its moderate variability, provided intermediate results but was less effective in consistently capturing rare species. Findings highlight the Transect method’s effectiveness in providing a comprehensive view of grasshopper populations and their spatial distribution. The Box Quadrat method's precision and the Open Quadrat method’s flexibility offer valuable alternatives depending on specific research goals and habitat characteristics. This study contributes to refining grasshopper monitoring techniques and offers practical recommendations for enhancing ecological surveys and conservation planning.