‘BioBlitz’ .... Finding Nature in the City
BioBlitz 2008
3pm Friday 4th — 3pm Saturday 5th April
Smith’s Bush, Northcote Rd, North Shore City
More about Smith's Bush »
What is BioBlitz?
BioBlitz is a scientific race against time. It is educational. And it is heaps of fun!
The
goal is to count as many species as possible in a 24-hour survey of a
large urban area.
The emphasis is on recording the total number of species, not naming
every creature that has been found.
BioBlitz is a unique opportunity for scientists, students and the public to experience the vast array of species (biodiversity) living in an urban reserve. It is rare for so many different types of biologists to be able to work together in the same place, at the same time and on the same project.
The searchers
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Teams of specialist biologists (botanists, mycologists, entomologists,
etc) search around the clock for every possible species they can find.
Nocturnal animals, such as some insects and vertebrate pests, are much
easier to find during darkness. Most species can be identified in the
field. |
Base camp
Species
that cannot be identified on the spot are brought back to “base
camp” for other experts to examine using microscopes and other
specialist equipment. Base camp is open to the public throughout the event. It is a great place to talk to scientists and look down microscopes.
All information is being recorded on our computer databases. The total number of introduced and native species is being tallied at hourly intervals, and announcements are being made at regular intervals.
The final tally
Survey of the study area finishes at 3pm Saturday, exactly 24 hours after it started. The countdown to the final tally will start at midday Saturday with the Official Closing and announcement of the final tally at 3pm.
Valuable data
BioBlitz
will generate a list of species found in the Smith's Bush study site. This will benefit successful urban management by identifying
pest species that should be monitored or controlled, and native species
that need looking after. The survey may reveal unique aspects of the
area that were not known previously. As we gain valuable information
about urban environments, we can begin to understand the extent to which
urban areas are sustaining the richness of North Shore City's
biodiversity.
Why is biodiversity important?
We usually hear "biodiversity" associated with the vast number of species in tropical rainforests. Yet the diversity of life in our own backyards is phenomenal—there are hundreds of organisms. You have many more neighbours than you realise! Most of these neighbours are essential. The clean water, fertile soil, and air to breathe that we take for granted are all the result of the vast network of species performing the special tasks that are their role in life. Some people call biodiversity the “web of life” because it supports us every minute of the day.
What
is biodiversity? |
How scientists find organisms |
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