The ATBI uses two parallel, complementary approaches to sampling.

The “traditional” approach utilizes the knowledge and experience of taxonomic specialists who visit the Park and collect specific organisms within their disciplines in any location they choose. Included here are “bioblitzes” or forays, which bring together large numbers of specialists and volunteers of all ages for short and intensive efforts to collect large numbers of the target taxa.

The “structured” approach is based on the use of selected, standardized, bulk sampling devices (traps) in an array of 2.5-acre (1-hectare) plots. The plots are distributed across the Smokies’ landscape using a Geographic Information System analysis of physical, biotic, and historic land-use parameters to ensure as complete and objective coverage as possible. The samples from the plots are sorted to various taxonomic levels before being sent to authorities for identification.

The structured approach allows statistical comparisons among plots, traps, communities, topographies, disturbance histories, and other factors, such as the effects of changing seasons, that are not possible with the traditional approach. The drawback to this approach is that not all groups of organisms are reliably sampled by using Malaise traps, pitfall traps, or other passive samplers.

— This is part of an article that first appeared in Sightline, a newsletter that addresses critical environmental and resource issues in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The publication is sponsored by Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Great Smoky Mountains Association and was written and produced by the University of Tennessee’s Energy, Environment and Resources Center.