A portable and wind resistant drift fence array for arid environments

Abstract

AbstractDrift fences are passive trapping systems for both small vertebrates and large invertebrates. Most drift fence designs are semi-permanent or otherwise difficult to transport after initial installation. While these designs are effective for replicate trapping through time, most designs lack portability. Here, we propose a novel drift fence design that uses PVC pipes and fiberglass mesh screen. The combination of hollow PVC pipes and mesh screen creates a lightweight system that facilitates rapid deployment and redeployment across locations. Since the PVC pipes can be filled with topsoil from the site of trap installation, enhanced portability does not come at the cost of fence stability or wind resistance. We provide results on trap performance in a New Mexico flatland desert and discuss the efficacy and cost of our proposed drift fence design.