collecting animal samples

• pooters: if you suck on the shorter tube, and put the end of the longer tube over the insect, it will be sucked into the jar. you should spend the dame amount if time collecting insects in the two areas. you should use the same size sample area in the two areas
• pitfall traps are step-sided containers that are sunk in a whole in the ground. the top is partly open. the trap is left overnight in the sample area. insects fall into the container and cannot get out again. food should be provided if you are leaving the trap for a longer time. pitfall trap should be set up in the two areas that you wish to compare. you should leave them for the same amount of time.
• sweep net:

  a sweep net is a net lined with a strong cloth. it is used to collect insects from long grass. the use one, you should stand still and sweep the net from left to right through the grass. the insects can them be turned out into a container to be counted. the same method should be repeated un both of the sample areas.
• pond net:

  a pond net is used for collecting insects for ponds or rivers. to use one, you should stand in the sample area and sweep the net along the bottom of the pond or river. the net can then be turned out into a white tray with some water, allowing you to count the organisms. the same method should be repeated in both of the sample area
• ethical issues:

  any organisms collected in your investigation need to be treated safely and ethically. animals need to be treated humanely and should be handled carefully and returned to their original form
• when using live specimens, they must not suffer any pain or distress. this means that you should avoid causing damage to the skin when handling them. you should also ensure that they have enough oxygen by keeping them moist. you should keep them at room temperature so as not to cause stress due to changes in temperature. you should only take small samples and return the rest to its natural habitat. you should never release an alien species back into the wild