Assessment of biodiversity in Africa, Kakamega Forest N. R.: an evaluation of methods for recording Lepidoptera in relation to the gathering of statistically valuable data.

Abstract

Quantitaive and qualitative descriptions of lepidopteran biodiversity based on several collection methods are described. Each method produces data, which were typically used for comparisons of different biotops. Statistical evaluation of data requires an inherent data quality. Data have to be objective and, so far as possible, connected. In Kakamega forest N. R. in Western Kenya five methods were tested under tropical rain forest conditions. Their suitability to produce statistically valuable data was critically evaluated. Only one of five methods permits statistical use of the resulting data.