What kind of habitat do invertebrates need?

Question

I did an experiment to see where I'd find most invertebrates using pitfall traps. I put them in hedges and in really long grass. Most were found in the hedges. I need to think of reasons why but im a bit stuck. I also need to think why I had a lack of results. I did the experiment when it was quite cold and wet. Anyone able to help?

Answer 1

Habitat complexity - hedges provide more structure and therefore greater niche variety, leading to increased species richness.

The likely reason you found few invertebrates when it was cold is that invertebrates do not move a lot in cold temperatures.  Being ectothermic, when the outside is cold, their bodies are cold and it takes more energy to move.  Since pitfall traps rely on the animals actually moving to fall into the trap, you would get a larger sample size in warmer temperatures.

Answer 2

You get invertebrates in each and every habitat with any animal population.  Looked at from that perspective, I'm afraid your question makes no particular sense as presently written.  If most of your particular invertebrates -whatever they might be- were found in hedges, then that's lots a strong indication that they favour hedges as at least one of their habitats.  They live there because they can.  There's a food supply, and the cover could be useful for security reasons.